November 25, Colombo (LNW): Rajasthan Royals made a notable splash in the Indian Premier League 2025 mega-auction held in Jeddah on Sunday (24), securing two star Sri Lankan spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, to bolster their bowling attack.
Theekshana, one of Sri Lanka’s leading white-ball bowlers, was the first pick in set seven of the auction.
There was stiff competition between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals for the highly sought-after spinner, but it was Rajasthan who emerged victorious, securing Theekshana for ₹4.40 crore.
The 23-year-old has been a pivotal figure in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs setup, with an impressive record of 126 wickets in 107 matches across all formats.
Having represented Chennai Super Kings since 2022, Theekshana has proven his skill in the IPL, taking 25 wickets from 27 matches.
In another significant development, Rajasthan went head-to-head with Mumbai Indians again to secure Wanindu Hasaranga, who was snapped up for ₹5.25 crore.
The bidding war between the two franchises ended with the Royals clinching the deal for the 27-year-old spinner.
Known for his exceptional skills in the T20 format, Hasaranga is a recognised force in global cricket. With 287 wickets and 2,344 runs, including nine half-centuries, in 200 T20 matches, he is a key player in the shortest format.
Hasaranga has made a significant mark in the IPL, having taken 35 wickets in 26 matches while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore.
