The Kolkata Knight Riders have received a significant boost ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, with Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana declared fit and cleared to participate. The development comes after weeks of uncertainty regarding the fast bowler’s availability due to injury concerns.
An official from Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that Pathirana has successfully completed his rehabilitation and has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to feature in the IPL. The pacer had been recovering from a calf strain sustained during a T20 World Cup clash against the Australian national cricket team, where he was forced to leave the field after completing his spell.
While Pathirana has been declared match-fit, officials noted that the final assessment of his readiness will be carried out by the franchise upon his arrival. There is currently no official confirmation on when he will join the squad, which is scheduled to travel to Mumbai on March 25 ahead of their opening fixture.
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The Kolkata Knight Riders are set to begin their campaign against the Mumbai Indians on March 29. The team will then return home for a series of matches at Eden Gardens, where they are scheduled to face Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants in quick succession.
The 21-year-old Pathirana, often referred to as “Baby Malinga” for his slinging action, was acquired for Rs 18 crore and is regarded as a specialist in death bowling. He previously represented Chennai Super Kings, where he made a strong impact, claiming 47 wickets in 32 matches since his debut in 2022.
KKR’s pace attack had been under pressure due to injuries and squad changes, including the absence of Harshit Rana and the release of Mustafizur Rahman. The franchise has brought in Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement and continues to assess additional options, with players like Akash Madhwal, Navdeep Saini, and Simarjeet Singh undergoing trials. The arrival of international players such as Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Rachin Ravindra is also expected to strengthen the squad ahead of the season.
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