The Blue Jays pitcher was just called up to the majors last month, and now he already etched his name in the World Series history books after his incredible Game 5 performance.
In seven innings of work on Wednesday night vs. the Dodgers, Yesavage recorded 12 strikeouts against Los Angeles batters, which is now the World Series record for the most strikeouts thrown by a rookie in a single game. He was the first rookie to record 10-plus strikeouts in a World Series game in 76 years, too. Yesavage was also the first rookie to strike out five consecutive batters in a World Series game. He didn’t walk a single batter.
Here's a closer look at all 12 strikeouts Yesavage recorded on Wednesday night.
To add to his excellence, it's worth noting that Yesavage had struck out every batter in the Dodgers lineup at least once through five innings on Wednesday night. That's pretty incredible when facing the reigning World Series championship team with a roster worth around $148 million this year. On the flip side, Yesavage's salary is $57,204 since being called up from the minor leagues, per .
This isn't even the first time Yesavage has recorded over 10 strikeouts in a postseason game this year. In Game 2 of the ALDS vs. the Yankees, Yesavage threw 11 strikeouts over 5.1 innings—Phew. Yesavage has been through a whirlwind introduction to life in the majors, and now is just one game away from a World Series ring.
Recordista brasileiro em número de participações seguidas na Libertadores 2024, o Palmeiras recebe o Independiente Del Valle nesta noite de quarta-feira (15), no Allianz Parque, podendo chegar pelo oitavo ano seguido nas oitavas de final da maior competição do nosso continente.
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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão
Desde 2017, o Verdão se coloca entre pelo menos as 16 melhores equipes da América do Sul, e agora o time de Abel Ferreira busca chegar nas quartas de finais pelo sétimo ano seguido, ultrapassando o Boca Juniors que entre 2000 a 2005 chegou entre os oito melhores em todas as edições.
O Palmeiras é o clube brasileiro com mais participações em oitavas de finais de Libertadores, ao lado do Grêmio, com 16 participações entre os 16 melhores do continente.
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Clube brasileiro com mais jogos, mais vitórias e mais gols na história da Libertadores, o Verdão vai em busca do tetracampeonato para confirmar de vez a sua hegemonia na competição nessa última década.
➡️ Faça as suas apostas na Libertadores 2024: quem será o campeão? Vem pro Lance! Betting!
Na era Abel Ferreira, o Palmeiras já fez 22 jogos de fase de grupos de Libertadores, com 19 vitórias, um empate e duas derrotas, e nos três tropeços, o atual bicampeão brasileiro atuou com um time alternativo.
At 41 years old, there was a strong chance the 2025 season could be Max Scherzer’s last. But, he doesn’t think so.
The three-time Cy Young award winner started in Game 7 of the World Series for his Blue Jays vs. the Dodgers on Saturday night. He pitched 4.1 innings, notching three strikeouts with four hits, one right and one batter walked. When Scherzer walked off the mound in the fifth inning, was that his last time pitching in MLB? He would say no.
“The only thing I can say is it's going to take some time to give a full answer to that but there is no way that was my last pitch,” Scherzer said after the game, via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Scherzer was playing on a one-year contract in Toronto, meaning he’ll become a free agent this offseason. A team will have to be willing to sign the veteran ace in order for his career to continue. It could be an interesting offseason for Scherzer.
The Blue Jays failed to give Scherzer his third World Series ring on Saturday night after they lost 5-4 to the Dodgers in 11 innings. The Blue Jays ultimately lost on a heartbreaking double play in the 11th, and that came after pinch runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa was mere inches away from what would have been a walk-off game-winning run in the ninth inning. It was a tough loss for all of Toronto.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has sparked a fresh wave of Real Madrid outrage after declaring that Los Blancos “represent power” while Barca embody “freedom”, intensifying tensions at a time when relations between the clubs have sharply deteriorated. His remarks come amid ongoing clashes between the boardrooms as both sides accuse the other of political and sporting hypocrisy.
Laporta's latest comments incite Real Madrid outrage
Laporta made headlines during a La Vanguardia event on Thursday when he was asked about Real Madrid’s VIP box and the political figures frequently seen alongside Los Blancos president Florentino Perez. He responded by framing Madrid as a club aligned with institutional power while presenting Barcelona as the opposite, positioning his side as defenders of democracy, openness and freedom. These remarks immediately reignited tensions that had already grown following Perez’s attacks during Real Madrid's General Assembly, particularly relating to the Negreira case.
His comments also came at a moment when both clubs have been moving further apart, especially after Barcelona distanced themselves from the Super League project that once united their leadership with Perez. Supporters and pundits in Madrid reacted angrily to Laporta’s claim, interpreting it as an attempt to weaponise historical narratives in the present-day rivalry. The situation adds another layer of controversy to a relationship that, only a few years ago, had been unusually cooperative.
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Barcelona president claims Barca represent 'freedom' unlike Madrid
“Real Madrid represents power and Barca, freedom. I don’t know if business deals are made in the Bernabeu’s VIP box. There is power,” Laporta said at an event. “Here it’s a different story; we’re more for democracy and freedom. We have a proper and cordial relationship with Florentino Perez.”
“At Barca, we’re not even considering any of this. I’ve been hearing for four years that we’d become a public limited company. We guarantee that Barca will always be owned by its members. It’s an added value we have and it connects us with the community.”
Laporta continued: “The investors who Goldman Sachs secured for the stadium liked the fact that we weren’t a public limited company. We’ve created a financial structure to avoid mortgages. We haven’t even considered it. It would hurt us a lot because it’s part of our very essence. Some people don’t see Barca in its entirety.
“Barca isn’t a business, it’s an institution. We have different rules. We’re a modern institution, committed to sustainability, equality, and diversity. We’re a Catalan institution, open to the world. All of this leads me to believe that Barca should always belong to its members. My fellow board members and I are the only ones who can guarantee this.
“We want peace and sustainability in football. I came across the Super League and went ahead with it because I thought there were many differences with state-owned clubs. It has dragged on, and all this uncertainty doesn’t benefit us. We reached an initial agreement with the Unify platform, but then I found out that Real Madrid were behind it. We should always give peace a chance. It’s better if we’re all on board. Conflict certainly doesn’t benefit anyone.”
Barcelona and Real Madrid's massive political standing in Spain's history
Laporta’s refusal to privatise Barcelona also aligns with the club’s self-identity as a member-owned institution that ties sport to community rather than private capital investment. His framing of Barça as an institution rather than a business is a continuation of its “Mes que un club” ethos, which emphasises cultural responsibility beyond sporting performance
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Barcelona and Real Madrid's relations at an all-time low
Laporta’s remarks are likely to inflame tensions further and may prompt an official or informal response from Real Madrid, who have repeatedly rejected the narrative that they benefit from political power. The already fragile relationship between the clubs, strained by the Negreira case, the Super League split and continuous boardroom sniping, appears set for another confrontational chapter.
As both teams continue their domestic and European campaigns, the off-field ideological battle may prove just as intense as anything on the pitch. Currently, Real Madrid sit behind Barcelona in the Liga standings after their drop in form in November.
Tottenham Hotspur are stuck in a cycle of repeated mistakes, time and time again struggling to establish a winning formula on home turf and struggling also to weave Thomas Frank’s tactics into their identity.
Much has been made of Spurs’ attacking problems this season, but defensively, there are imbalances too. The north Londoners’ xGD (Expected Goals Difference) stands at -6.8, marking them 18th in the division for that metric.
Despite adding a range of talented additions to their ranks after winning the Europa League last season, the residual issues that stemmed from a torrid Premier League campaign remain, and Frank has to show that he has what it takes to wipe out the recurring patterns that are threatening an exciting season.
The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons were welcomed to the ranks, but Frank has yet to pull it all together
The potential Frank replacements ENIC should consider
It has been reported that Frank is not under immediate pressure in the Tottenham hot seat, but after picking just two points up from his past five outings, the Spurs boss will know that results need to improve, especially with the win over Burnley in August standing as a lonely win down N17.
Kudus might be the joint-top assist maker in the division so far, but Tottenham’s creativity is a big concern, and ENIC Group may have the perfect replacement they can fall back on.
Back at the start of the summer, ESPN reported Tottenham had whittled their shortlist down to two candidates, Frank being one, Fulham manager Marco Silva being the other.
The Portuguese tactician is a well-seasoned Premier League manager, having led 221 matches across four different tenures.
Known for establishing stability and a clear tactical vision, the 48-year-old has earned his share of praise, with pundit Jamie Carragher among those to suggest Silva may well be a tailor-made fit for the Lilywhites.
Why Carragher has "always seen" Silva at Spurs
Carragher remarked on The Overlap this week that he has “always seen Silva at Tottenham”, with his blend of pragmatism and shrewd ideas potentially instilling the secure and balanced foundations the club have been lacking in recent years.
Implementing a 4-2-3-1 formation, Silva, whose Cottager side beat Tottenham away from home only last weekend, seeks to strike a balance between possession-based play and counter-attacking football, with both sides of that coin on show against Spurs.
There is an emphasis on overlaps and wide play that could also give rise to Kudus’ qualities. The Ghanaian – who England fans will be threatened by at the 2026 World Cup next year – has made a positive start to life in north London, but there’s a sense that there is more to come from the versatile wideman.
As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 3% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for successful take-ons per 90.
Mohammed Kudus – Premier League Stats 25/26
Match Stats (* per game)
#
Matches (starts)
13 (13)
Goals
2
Assists
5
Touches*
52.4
Shots (on target)*
1.5 (0.5)
Accurate passes*
20.9 (87%)
Chances created*
1.6
Dribbles*
3.1
Ball recoveries*
5.1
Tackles + interceptions*
1.9
Duels won*
6.5
Data via Sofascore
Kudus needs to score more, and he also needs to make more of his inherent creative skills. Silva’s system could help achieve this.
Transfer reporter Dean Jones has even gone as far as to label Silva a “genius”, with his subtle and nuanced approach to the managerial game something Spurs may need to adapt to different situations and rediscover their fluency both in defence and attack.
Whether Tottenham decide to cut their ties with Frank down the line will be a matter of time and perserverance, but should an upswing fail to materialise, Silva could be the shrewd successor to finally take this team to a sustainable level at the top.
Spurs star is becoming Frank's own version of Kane & he's not even a forward
This Tottenham star is becoming a talismanic force for Frank’s side.
After finishing the series with an average of 151, Kohli said he wants to push his boundaries and see where he goes
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Dec-2025Virat Kohli feels his “whole game is coming together nicely” and is batting at a level he hasn’t in the last two-three years. Kohli stayed unbeaten on 65 in the ODI series decider against South Africa, which India sealed by a comfortable nine wickets with more than 10 overs to spare in a chase of 271.Kohli’s half-century came after he struck back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs to finish the series with a tally of 302 and a staggering average of 151. Kohli now has four straight 50-plus scores after he had bagged two consecutive ducks in the ODIs in Australia, which was his first series since the IPL finished in June.”Honestly, just playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me,” Kohli said at the presentation. “I don’t think I’ve played at this level for a good two-three years now and I feel really free in my mind and just the whole game is coming together nicely, [it’s] very exciting to build on. And something that I’ve always tried to do as a player, maintain my own standards that I’ve set for myself and play at the level that I can make an impact for the team. I know when I can bat like that out there in the middle, then it of course helps the team in a big way because I can bat long, I can bat according to the situation and just being confident makes me feel like any situation out there in the middle, I have what it takes to handle that situation and bring it in favour of the team.”Related
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Kohli took home the Player-of-the-Series award for a record 22nd time in international cricket, and 12th in ODIs. He also smashed a record 12 sixes in the three games, easily his personal best in any ODI series, including World Cups. His series strike rate of 117.05 was also his best in an ODI series since January 2023.”Well, you know, when I play freely then I know I can hit sixes,” he said. “So I just wanted to have some fun because I was batting well, just take a bit more risk, just push my own boundaries and see where I go. There’s always levels you can unlock and you just need to take a risk.”Kohli further said that since he has been around for more than 15 years in international cricket, he has gone through “many phases where you doubt your ability” because as a batter it comes down to making one mistake. It is, he said, “a whole journey of learning”.”You tend to go into a space where you feel like maybe I’m not good enough, the nerves take over and that’s the beauty of sport, especially a skill like batting where you have to keep overcoming that fear every ball that you play and eventually play long innings and get into a zone again where you can start playing confidently. It’s a whole journey of learning and getting to know yourself better and becoming better as a person along the whole way. I can surely vouch for the fact that being a batsman and realising so much about myself, what kind of negative thinking patterns I have, where I can get into a zone where I don’t feel confident or when I’m feeling like myself, what are those small little details, it just improves you as a person in general and your whole temperament becomes much better and balanced over so many years. So, yes, I’ve had many phases where I’ve doubted myself and I haven’t been shy to admit that.”
A series taking place two years out from the next World Cup is unlikely to offer much of use for either team
Danyal Rasool03-Nov-2025ODI cricket in 2025 is a bit like a premium tablet, a product in search of a use case rather than the other way around. It was revolutionary when it first came out, but now most of its functions can be better catered to by something bigger and more luxurious, or smaller and more easily mass-produced. But since it already exists, justifications for its existence have to be manufactured, and they tend to take the form of niche situations. Perhaps you’re on a flight, where you can’t bring your laptop, and your phone is too small. Or, in the case of ODI cricket, maybe a World Cup is just around the corner.The issue is that most of the time, you’re not on a flight, just as most of the time in a four-year cycle, a World Cup is quite far away. It’s still two years out from the next one – around this time in 2027. What Pakistan and South Africa can extract of value in Faisalabad to be deployed in Southern Africa half a world and half a cycle away is unclear. Not much else is staked on ODI cricket these days, especially with a T20I World Cup three months away.Perhaps it’s where these three ODIs will be held this week that provides the most meaning to this series. Faisalabad last hosted international cricket 17 years ago, and will become the fifth international venue in Pakistan since cricket returned to the country in 2015. It was due to host two T20Is against Bangladesh in May, but was forced to have its wait extended by another half year after skirmishes between Pakistan and India’s armed forces led to the PSL overrunning its schedule, and scrapping the Faisalabad leg of the Bangladesh series altogether.Faisalabad did, in recent memory, hold what was then billed as a prestigious enough tournament to act as a test case for future international cricket. The 2024 Champions Cup, Pakistan’s domestic 50-over competition, was given a glamorous makeover and played at Iqbal stadium. It serves as the most recent reference point for the kind of pitches likely to be served up to Pakistan and South Africa. If much of that tournament, held at a similar time of year, is an indicator, high-scoring games are likely; only in four of the ten group stage matches did the side batting first fail to post 300.Faisalabad saw many things during the 2024 Champions Cup, including Babar Azam bowling•PCBThat is par for the course at most ODI venues in Pakistan now, though this is the first time since their ill-fated home Champions Trophy campaign that Pakistan are playing ODI cricket at home. There were two away series losses in New Zealand and the West Indies to compound the misery and raise further questions about this team. These three ODIs right now are unlikely to answer them.Pakistan have selected a full-strength squad for the series, with Fakhar Zaman back after fitness issues kept him out of the T20Is last week. More excitingly for Pakistan’s supporters, the trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah will bowl together again for just the ninth time since they first caught fire at the 2023 Asia Cup. They achieved great success at the backend of last year, winning a series in Australia before whitewashing South Africa, taking 31 of 47 opposition wickets in five games. Replicating that success in Pakistan, though, has proved trickier, as evidenced by their indifferent showings in the Champions Trophy.South Africa have no such qualms about their ODI form, coming off the back of away series wins in Australia and England following a Champions Trophy run to the semi-finals. Their squad, however, is decidedly not first-choice, bearing something of a resemblance to the one that played a tri-series in Pakistan at the start of the year. Matthew Breetzke, who debuted then, is now captain, while Quinton de Kock’s un-retirement provides premium top-order experience to a side that will need plenty of it.Their biggest concern is likely the bowling on what will be batting-friendly surfaces. Corbin Bosch demonstrated he could bother Pakistan in the T20Is, but he didn’t get enough support from the other seamers. In that tri-series earlier this year, run-scoring was not a problem for South Africa. They put up 304 against New Zealand and 352 in their game against Pakistan, but a bowling unit denuded of their best assets failed to defend either.Ultimately, any result of this series risks being dismissed in a week’s time as an irrelevance to any larger picture. The cricket will be entertaining in the moment, especially for Faisalabad’s starved viewers, but it is likely to be little more than a dopamine hit. Not unlike the reasons for buying a tablet.
It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster season for Chelsea already this year.
One week, they’ll demolish Barcelona in the Champions League and hold Premier League leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw despite being down a man, but just a few days later, they’ll go and lose 3-1 away at newly promoted Leeds United.
The West Londoners do have a lot of talent in the team, but they’ve also got areas that are underperforming, like their summer striker signings, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
It looks like the club aren’t overly pleased with the pair’s output either, as reports are now linking them with a goalscoring striker who could send them both packing.
Chelsea target Delap & Pedro upgrade
As is the case every year, Chelsea have started to be linked with a whole host of brilliant players ahead of the winter transfer window opening next month.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, Club Brugge’s highly rated young centre-back, Joel Ordonez, has been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge, where he would join up with former Independiente del Valle teammate and compatriot Moises Caicedo.
However, while the Ecuadorian international could be the answer to the Blues’ defensive issues, he’s certainly not an upgrade on Delap or Pedro, unlike Serhou Guirassy.
Yes, according to a recent report from German publication BILD, Chelsea are one of several sides interested in signing the prolific centre-forward.
In fact, the report has revealed that the West Londoners have already been in contact with the player’s camp over a potential move.
However, any move would have to take place in the summer as the 29-year-old has made it clear he wishes to end the season with Borussia Dortmund, who have placed a €50m release clause in his deal, which is about £44m.
Even so, this is a transfer Chelsea should be pushing for, as Guirassy is a goal machine and would be a clear upgrade on Pedro and Delap.
How Guirassy compares to Delap and Pedro
Now, there are two things that both Pedro and Delap have over Guirassy.
These are their ages, as the Guinea international is now 29, and they have Premier League experience.
However, the Dortmund star has them not just beaten, but comfortably so, when it comes to the most important metric of all for forwards: output.
For example, so far this season, the 26-capped international has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 19 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games, or every 115.46 minutes.
In contrast, the Brazilian has produced seven goal involvements in 17 appearances, totalling 1345 minutes, which comes out to an average of one every 2.42 games, or every 192.14 minutes.
For his efforts, the Englishman has produced a single goal involvement in ten appearances, totalling 421 minutes.
Okay then, what about last season? Surely it wasn’t as one-sided?
Unfortunately for the two Chelsea stars, it very much was, with the Dortmund monster racking up a truly world-class tally of 38 goals and nine assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4244 minutes.
That comes out to an outrageous average of a goal involvement every 1.06 games, or every 90.29 minutes, which more than justifies Lothar Matthaus’ claim that he is “one of the best strikers in Europe.”
Guirassy vs Pedro vs Delap
24/25
Guirassy
Pedro
Delap
Games
50
33
46
Minutes
4244′
2299′
2976′
Goals
38
13
13
Assists
9
7
3
25/26
Guirassy
Pedro
Delap
Games
19
17
10
Minutes
1501′
1345′
421′
Goals
9
4
1
Assists
4
3
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For comparison’s sake, Pedro produced 20 goal involvements in 33 appearances, totalling 2299 minutes, which is an average of one every 1.65 games, or every 114.95 minutes.
Delap did even worse than that, producing 16 goal involvements in 46 appearances, totalling 2976 minutes, which comes out to an average of one every 2.87 games, or every 186 minutes.
Ultimately, while it might not be a simple transfer to complete, Chelsea should be going all out to sign Guirassy, even if that spells the end for their two summer signings.
Watch out Cucurella: Chelsea in pole position to sign "exceptional" £53m star
Cucurella could find himself with some extra competition if Chelsea sign this international monster.
This season is shaping up very nicely for Chelsea indeed.
On the domestic front, Enzo Maresca’s side managed to keep Arsenal within touching distance by holding them to a 1-1 draw on Sunday despite Moises Caicedo being sent off in the first half.
Then, in the Champions League, their thumping 3-0 win against Barcelona last week has stood them in good stead to qualify for the next round.
Moreover, and especially in that game, Estevao has started to really show what he is capable of, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea to another star winger who has been compared to the Brazilian.
Chelsea target an Estevao-type winger
Even though there were pretty high expectations for Estevao coming into this season, few would have predicted him to have started as well as he has.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, in the Premier League, he provided an assist on his first start against West Ham United and then scored the winner against Liverpool.
In the Champions League, he has been even better, racking up three goals in five appearances, of which only three have been starts.
So, with how well he has been performing, it’s less surprising to hear that the club are now interested in a player who has been compared to him: Harvey Barnes.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are said to be incredibly keen on the Englishman.
In fact, the report goes further, revealing that the Blues have already submitted an offer of around €60m for the player, which is about £53m.
However, there are two problems: Manchester United have made the same offer, and the Toon do not want to sell.
It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Barnes’ ability and output, one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he has been compared to Estevao.
How Barnes compares to Estevao
Now, while they are both wingers plying their trade for huge clubs in the toughest league in the world, fans might find it hard to see why Barnes would be comparable to Estevao.
After all, last season he didn’t do all that much for Newcastle, and so far this season the Brazilian has been a breath of fresh air for the Blues.
However, while he is not getting as much attention as he perhaps should, the English “menace,” as dubbed by journalist Mikey Stafford, has been on fire for the Toon this year.
For example, in 20 appearances across all competitions, totalling 996 minutes, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 110.66 minutes.
Moreover, his close control and technical ability are far better than most think, as his sensational goal against Brentford demonstrates.
Finally, FBref also lists the Blues’ Brazilian gem as the eighth-most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the former Leicester City star in the Champions League this season.
The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is to look at some of the underlying metrics where the pair ranks closely.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.73
0.70
Progressive Carries
5.17
5.59
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.34
0.29
Shot-Creating Actions
3.44
3.79
Goals per Shot on Target
These include things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shot-creating actions, crosses into the penalty area, progressive carries and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while they certainly have their differences, Barnes is showing shades of Estevao in his game this season and on top of that, has rediscovered his goalscoring ability.
Therefore, so long as the price does not get ridiculous, Chelsea should do what they can to sign him once the window opens.
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The underrated Chelsea ace made sure Caicedo’s red card didn’t cost Enzo Maresca’s men against Arsenal.
In a late move, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have decided to release Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana from their squad ahead of IPL 2026. ESPNcricinfo has learned that CSK have been deliberating their future with Pathirana, who they had bought ahead of IPL 2023 and retained before the 2025 mega auction for INR 13 crore.This emerged on Saturday – the IPL retention window closes at 3pm.With his slingy action and ability to find swing consistently at 140-plus clicks, Pathirana announced himself at IPL 2023, when CSK won the title, picking 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.01. Then captain MS Dhoni, though, had warned that Pathirana would need to be carefully managed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in order for him to have a long career. Dhoni’s words were not far off the mark – Pathirana has struggled with various injuries over the years.Related
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Pathirana, who last played at the Asia Cup this September, had a curtailed IPL 2024 owing to a hamstring injury and then left for home midway into the SA20, where he playes for Joburg Super Kings. In IPL 2025, he was under par, taking 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 10.13.CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming had said during the season that the franchise was concerned by Pathirana’s drop in impact, which he suspected had to do with the SLC tweaking the bowler’s release point which was causing him troubles.CSK have now decided to release Pathirana with a possibility of buying him back at the auction, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.CSK had been the only team Pathirana has played for in the IPL, with his overall numbers in the three seasons being 47 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 21.61 and economy of 8.68.CSK are set to be among the few teams to go into the auction with a big purse, having also decided to release a host of players including the New Zealand pair of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. They have also traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson.