Back on track, Matheesha Pathirana passed Sri Lanka Cricket's required fitness assessment. Clear to move forward, he’s been permitted to head to India for IPL 2026. With paperwork done, the pace bowler prepares to link up with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Their season needs a lift; his arrival could be just that spark.
Back on his feet after the setback, Matheesha Pathirana should join the team by April 17, just before they face the Gujarat Titans. Yet selection chances probably wait until the game two days later against the Rajasthan Royals.
KKR seek bowling revival amid tough start
Bottom of the table, KKR needed something like this just now. Three losses and rain ruining one match made their position shaky. Bowling troubles piled up when Harshit Rana got hurt, then Akash Deep followed. Mustafizur wasn’t around at all. Varun Chakravarthy hasn’t bowled sharply either.
Out on the field, KKR's bowlers haven't found their rhythm. Chasing down 220 wasn’t enough when Mumbai posted big. A thumping loss followed next, handed by SRH in fashion. Just when things looked settled, Lucknow edged past them during the tense closing overs.
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Early in the season, Pathirana looked set to sit out after pulling up with a calf issue at this year’s T20 World Cup. The player cost INR 18 crore when bought at auction.
Back then, getting approval meant clearing checks set by Sri Lanka Cricket; fitness trials came first, only after that, a green light. Earlier news showed he skipped the session, just like Wanindu Hasaranga did; later reports confirmed Hasaranga won’t play IPL 2026 because of physical setbacks.
