A significant highlight of yesterday’s player auction for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) was the inclusion of two Sri Lankan players among the fifteen highest-valued players in the auction.
Matheesha Pathirana, the most talked-about Sri Lankan player, managed to secure the second-highest overall value of the entire auction. He was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering sum of INR 18 crore (approx. LKR 612 million).
Pathum Nissanka, appearing in the auction for the first time, saw his value soar past his base price of INR 75 lakh. He was eventually bought by the Delhi Capitals (DC) for a bid of INR 4 crore.
Wanindu Hasaranga was also sold during this auction, joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for his base price of INR 2 crore.
However, several other Sri Lankan players who entered the auction remained unsold, with no franchises placing bids for them. These players include:
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Kusal Janith Perera
- Charith Asalanka
- Dasun Shanaka
- Kusal Mendis
- Dunith Wellalage
- Binura Fernando
- Traveen Mathew
Despite not being part of the auction, four other Sri Lankans will feature in the tournament through the player retention system. Nuwan Thushara is set to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Eshan Malinga and Kamindu Mendis for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Dushmantha Chameera for the Delhi Capitals (DC).
Summary of Sri Lankans in IPL 2026
| Player | Status | Team | Price (If Auctioned) |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Sold | Kolkata Knight Riders | INR 18 Crore |
| Pathum Nissanka | Sold | Delhi Capitals | INR 4 Crore |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Sold | Lucknow Super Giants | INR 2 Crore |
| Nuwan Thushara | Retained | Royal Challengers Bangalore | – |
| Kamindu Mendis | Retained | Sunrisers Hyderabad | – |
| Eshan Malinga | Retained | Sunrisers Hyderabad | – |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Retained | Delhi Capitals | – |
