3 pacers CSK should target in IPL 2026 Auction as Matheesha Pathirana's replacement ft. Jason Holder 

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a bold statement by releasing Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana to free up INR 13 crore in their purse ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction. The youngster was CSK's chief enforcer with the ball in the death overs for the franchise in the previous cycle, but has struggled with injuries and a remodeled action in the recent past.

Given that multiple franchises have their eye on Pathirana already, it might be difficult for CSK to buy back the pacer for a slashed price. As a result, the five-time winners might have to devise a back-up plan to maintain their death bowling standards even without the Sri Lankan pacer.

With CSK already having accomplished now ball pacers in Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed, and Noor Ahmad to handle the middle overs, the franchise will be seeking a specialist for the back end of the innings, preferably who can partner Nathan Ellis in the department, or even feature on his own.

On that note, let us take a look at three pacers CSK should target in IPL 2026 Auction as Matheesha Pathirana's replacement.

#1 Akash Madhwal

Former India pacer Mohammad Kaif put out the suggestion of Akash Madhwal as a potential target for CSK, and there are a lot of factors that make it a justifiable deal. From a monetary and potential point of view, the right-arm pacer could be of great value for the franchise.

His skiddly bowling ability, coupled with his impressive skills in the death, is the right combination that CSK are on the lookout for after parting ways with Pathirana. The former MI and RR pacer has been almost unplayable when he has got his execution right in the death overs. With a natural ability to land the yorkers, Madhwal could be a death over prospect if he manages to work on his execution and land the tough deliveries consistently and with perfection.

Madhwal also has fond memories of CSK's home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where he has taken six wickets in two appearances, including a five-wicket haul in the 2023 Eliminator clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The pacer has an economy rate of 9.88 in the death overs in T20 cricket, and the figure was just 8.38 in his debut season, which shows how impactful can he be when he is at his best.

#2 Ben Sears

If CSK are searching for something unorthodox to replace the unorthodox Pathirana, then they don't have to go beyond Ben Sears, who ticks a lot of boxes from just his initial impression.

CSK have known to back players from New Zealand in the past courtesy of the Stephen Fleming factor, and his quirky action, with a mighty jump, and angled in release point makes him a solid X Factor that they need in their bowling setup. Although injury-prone, his solid numbers are enough to take a risk. While Sears' ability makes him a bowler that can be used in all phases of the game, his death bowling is really a notable aspect, as it is something that CSK are looking to bolster.

The right-arm pacer has an economy rate of just 9.08 in death overs in his T20 career, which is more than acceptable in the modern era. In fact, the figure improves to 8.66 as far as T20s in 2025 are concerned. His form and potential makes him a more than a decent prospect. CSK went ahead of the curve to bring in Pathirana a few years ago, and they could take a similar gamble with Sears as well.

#3 Jason Holder

Replacing a pacer with arguably the lowest release point with a player having the highest release point defies logic on paper, but there is merit to it from an impact and form point of view. When Jason Holder, a player that CSK brought into the limelight over a decade ago, is showing this kind of form in his second wind, it cannot be possibly ignored.

The all-rounder has had a lot of ups and downs in his career, whether it be in international or franchise cricket. But the 2025 version of Holder is almost unrecognizable as he has elevated to being a death bowling expert and a proficient batter capable of featuring higher up the order.

Jason Holder is arguably the most successful death bowler in 2025, picking up 40 wickets in the phase in 48 matches with an economy rate of 9.62. The bulk of his exploits came during the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he excelled with both bat and ball. He could possibly help CSK take out two birds with one stone with his death bowling ability as well as his pinch-hitting ability, two traits that CSK are focused on in this auction.