Kolkata Knight Riders have received a major boost as Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, bought for ₹18 crore at the auction last year, is set to join them for the remainder of their IPL campaign. The franchise, which has not won any matches this season, will benefit from Pathirana’s return after he recovered from a calf injury sustained during the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed his availability for the IPL after he completed rehabilitation.
Despite initial hopes of Pathirana playing from the start, he will miss KKR’s next two matches but is expected to make his debut against Rajasthan Royals on April 19. With injuries to Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, KKR was relying on Pathirana to turn their fortunes around. The team’s poor performance has put them at risk of an early exit, making it crucial for them to secure wins before Pathirana’s return. It is imperative for KKR to break their losing streak and climb up the standings with Pathirana’s inclusion in the squad.
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