The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its huge financial rewards, making it the richest T20 franchise tournament in the world. Players often choose its lucrative contracts over national team commitments.
However, these high payouts don’t always lead to great performances, and when top players underperform, franchises feel the financial hit.
Here are three International bowlers from IPL 2026 whose performance highlighted the tough financial reality of the league:
1. Matheesha Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent INR 18 crore to acquire Matheesha Pathirana after a competitive bidding process. However, after being released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to fitness issues, KKR’s investment backfired. A calf strain delayed his play, and a hamstring injury cut his time on the field to just eight balls.
With no wickets taken, Pathirana’s cost per wicket was infinity, a disappointing outcome for KKR’s budget.
2. Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
In a surprising turn during IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians retained Jasprit Bumrah for INR 18 crore, but he managed to take only 4 wickets in 13 matches with an average of 102.50. This brought his cost per wicket to INR 4.5 crore, a high price for a player known for his effectiveness in crucial overs.
For Mumbai Indians, the season proved costly as confidence in a star player did not pay off.
3. T. Natarajan (Delhi Capitals)
Delhi Capitals held onto T. Natarajan for INR 10.75 crore, expecting strong performances in death overs. Instead, he struggled, taking just five wickets in 10 matches with an average of 71.20, allowing 11.18 runs per over. Each wicket cost the franchise INR 2.15 crore, reflecting a poor return on investment that helped lead to their elimination in the group stage.
The experiences of Pathirana, Bumrah, and Natarajan in IPL 2026 illustrate the tough truth about franchise economics: big names do not always mean big returns. In a financially driven league, these players serve as reminders of the risks involved in high-stakes investments.
Additionally, Khaleel Ahmed was retained by Chennai Super Kings for INR 4.80 crore but managed only two wickets in IPL 2026. His cost per wicket reached INR 2.40 crore. He is not among the top three due to a right quadricep injury that sidelined him after five matches against KKR.