Unsold IPL 2026 Player Set To Join Hyderabad Team As Replacement

IPL rejects joins PSL franchise [Source: AFP]

Players pulling out and injuries have hampered the PSL 2026, as several world-class players have either rejected playing in the tournament or have decided to jump ship and join the IPL. Many have suffered injuries before PSL, as the marquee competition is set to have less star power this season.

Almost all the PSL franchises have suffered in the last few days, including the newest member of the PSL family, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen. The franchise bought some high-quality players, but right before the start of PSL, one of their star players quit the league.

The South African bowler, Ottniel Baartman, ditched the PSL due to personal reasons, and the Hyderabad Houston side suffered a massive jolt as the Proteas was set to be a key player for them in PSL 2026.

IPL reject becomes Baartman's replacement

According to Geo News, former Rajasthan Royals star and Sri Lankan player, Maheesh Theekshana, has been roped in as Baartman’s replacement in PSL 2026. He gave his name in the IPL 2026 mini auction, but the wily spinner was unsold as he produced a poor performance in IPL, last season.

Interestingly, the Hyderabad-based franchise has not gone in with a like-for-like replacement, and instead, has shown faith in Theekshana, who is known for his defensive bowling in T20 cricket.

Sheri.

@CallMeSheri1_

🚨 Hyderabad Kingsmen are likely to sign Maheesh Theekshana as a replacement for Ottniel Baartman. (Geo News)

Mar 23, 2026, 2:38 PM

With the 2026 PSL starting in a couple of days, Hyderabad Houston had little time to find a replacement player, and they eventually decided to pursue Theekshana, who can give the franchise enough cover in the spin department.

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Defensive bowling- a trait that Theekshana has mastered in T20 cricket

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen struck a masterstroke when they acquired the services of Baartman ahead of the PSL 2026. The South African is known for his wicket-taking ability, and is known for delivering the goods inside the powerplay, and also in the middle-overs.

However, with Ottneil Baartman out, the team lacked a wicket-taker, and instead of other options, the team went ahead and picked Theekshana. In 83 T20I matches for Sri Lanka, the wily spinner has scalped 82 wickets, and while the economy rate is good (7.08), he couldn’t manage to pick up more wickets on spin-friendly Sri Lankan wickets.

When it comes to containing runs, Theekshana is one of the best in the world, but it is his wicket-taking ability that could hinder the Hyderabad-based team in the PSL.

Why Theekshana went unsold in IPL 2026 mini auction

Theekshana has represented some of the big franchises in the IPL, mainly CSK and Rajasthan Royals. The spinner has had enough experience in the IPL, but the last couple of seasons were underwhelming.

In the 2024 campaign, he played just five matches and picked up only two wickets. The economy was good (7.20), but the average was on the higher side (72). The trend continued last season, as Theekshana represented the Rajasthan Royals and played 11 IPL matches.

In 11 games, he scalped 11 wickets, but the economy rate shot up as he conceded runs at 9.76, and failed to contain runs in the IPL, a role which he normally does to perfection. His last two seasons were poor, and hence, the IPL franchises decided to ignore him as the Lankan spinner went unsold.

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