Matheesha Pathirana is set to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by April 6 for IPL 2026, having been signed for a whopping ₹18 crore. Currently recovering from a calf injury sustained during the T20 World Cup, he is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Sri Lanka and will undergo fitness tests as per Sri Lanka Cricket’s guidelines for franchise-bound players.
KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar mentioned during a pre-season press conference that Pathirana is expected to be match fit by mid-April. Nayar also expressed the challenge of replacing injured player Harshit, emphasizing the importance of finding a suitable replacement to maintain the team’s performance level.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan players such as Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Dushmantha Chameera have passed their fitness assessments and joined their respective IPL teams. The process includes specific fitness assessments to ensure players are fit to participate in the league, with an NOC issued upon completion.
Despite the setback of losing a key player, KKR remains focused on identifying a suitable replacement to contribute effectively to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
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