Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has predicted who he thinks could be the steal of the IPL 2026 auction, set to take place on December 15 in Abu Dhabi. The former all-rounder reckons Matheesha Pathirana could be one, highlighting that he brings in a different and round-arm angle with his bowling.The Sri Lankan speedster was surprisingly released by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) despite delivering some promising performances for the franchise. The 2023 edition saw him take 19 wickets in 13 games at 19.53, helping the Yellow Army win the title. Overall, Pathirana has taken 47 scalps in 32 matches, averaging 21.62, for them.During a rapid fire with Star Sports, Bangar said:"Matheesha Pathirana can be one. Kyunki Pathirana ko CSK ne release kiya hai and woh zaroor ek alag angle laate hain - round arm angle, yorker aur slower ball. Pathirana could be the guy who can be the steal of the auction. (Matheesha Pathirana can be one. He was released by CSK and he brings in a different angle - with a mix of round-arm angle, yorker and slower balls. Pathirana could be the guy who can be the steal of the auction.)"Pathirana was notably roped in as replacement in 2022 for the injured Adam Milne and became one of the first-choice picks over time. But the 22-year-old struggled in IPL 2025 but still took 13 scalps in 12 games at 32.62 apiece.Dale Steyn names two players who could be the steal in IPL 2026 auctionDale Steyn. (Image Credits: Getty)Meanwhile, former South African speedster Dale Steyn responded to the same question by picking two players. The 42-year-old reckons fellow countrymen Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje could be steal signings in the IPL 2026 auction.Coetzee, 25, has featured in 14 matches for Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, picking up 15 scalps. Nortje, meanwhile, has played in 48 games for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), snaring 61 scalps.