Why RCB Might Go All-Out for This Overseas Star at IPL Auction 2026

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are heading into the IPL 2026 auction with one clear aim: to fix their unsettled fast-bowling attack before the next season.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru's main focus is now on landing a top-quality fast bowler, and Matheesha Pathirana can be their most exciting option to fix their bowling puzzle at the IPL 2026 auction on December 26 in Abu Dhabi.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru to eye fresh firepower after Josh Hazlewood’s fresh blow

The franchise finds itself in a tricky situation with their key pacers battling injuries, uncertainty, and legal troubles, forcing them to look for new strike options at the upcoming auction.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

The first blow for RCB came when their most trusted overseas bowler, Josh Hazlewood, was ruled out of the entire 2025-26 Ashes series against England.

Read Also: MI, RCB, KKR, CSK or any other team? Which team is IPL's most valuable team

The Australian fast bowler has been dealing with a hamstring strain he picked up while playing a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November. That injury kept him out of the first two Ashes Tests. While recovering, he developed soreness in his Achilles tendon.

Hazlewood will now spend all his time trying to get fit for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in February, which means RCB cannot rely fully on the Australian fast bowler in the IPL 2026. Apart from injury-prone Hazlewood, Yash Dayal is also uncertain for the next edition of the IPL.

Dayal has not played any cricket since the IPL 2025 final. He is still working hard to return to match fitness, and RCB is monitoring him closely because any injury or delay can disrupt their plans. But his fitness is not the only worry for the defending champions.

Yash Dayal’s future turns uncertain amid legal troubles

Actually, Dayal’s career is currently under a cloud due to two police cases filed against him in 2025. He has not been convicted, and investigations are ongoing, but his future remains uncertain, given the sensitivity of the cases registered against the fast bowler.

Firstly, a Ghaziabad woman accused Dayal of exploiting her emotionally and physically over a five-year relationship under the false promise of marriage. The Allahabad High Court has given him interim protection from arrest in this matter.

The second case was filed in Jaipur, and it is even more serious than the Ghaziabad case. Another woman accused the fast bowler of repeatedly assaulting her over two years when she was 17. She said Dayal used promises of helping her cricket career to lure her.

This case was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO Act) because a minor is involved, and the Rajasthan High Court refused to give the Indian cricketer protection from arrest. Despite this, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Dayal ahead of the auction.

Read Also: Why IPL Auction 2026 Could Be Explosive: Date, Players in Demand & Team Strategies

With Hazlewood’s injury concerns and Dayal’s uncertain future, the RCB is in urgent need of strong fast-bowling options. They want both an overseas fast-bowling star and a dependable Indian seamer. And this makes young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana the perfect fit.

RCB likely to go all-out for Matheesha Pathirana

Pathirana was recently released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction after injury issues and poor form last season. He played for CSK from 2022 to 2025 and was a key part of their 2023 title win. Pathirana’s unusual sling-arm action, sharp yorkers, and calm temperament made him one of the best death-overs specialists in the league.

Pathirana has already built an impressive IPL record by taking 47 wickets at an average of 21.62 and an economy rate of 8.68 in just 32 matches. He is expected to become one of the most chased bowlers at the mini-auction, and RCB is likely to go after him.

Actaully, the Sri Lankan star checks every box the franchise need right now—a proven death bowler, a wicket-taker under pressure, someone young and fearless, and a pacer who can instantly strengthen their attack. With the auction around the corner, RCB is likely to go all-out to secure Pathirana and rebuild their pace attack for the IPL 2026.