Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been dealt an early challenge ahead of IPL 2026, with their high-profile signing Matheesha Pathirana unlikely to feature in the opening matches. The Sri Lankan pacer, who was bought for a massive ₹18 crore, is still recovering from a calf strain and is expected to return only around mid-April.
This means KKR will have to begin their campaign without one of their most exciting bowling weapons. The team opens its season against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 29, followed by important fixtures against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – all matches Pathirana is likely to miss.
Abhishek Nayar opens up about Matheesha Pathirana’s recovery
Head coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed the update during the pre-season press conference, giving fans a clearer picture of the pacer’s recovery timeline.
“The latest update that we know is he’s obviously with the Sri Lankan cricket board and they took out his rehab. And the latest communication that we’ve had is, hopefully, somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit. That’s what we know as of now,” Nayar stated.
Pathirana’s absence stems from the injury he picked up during the T20 World Cup 2026, which forced him out of the tournament midway. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation under Sri Lanka Cricket’s supervision.
Interestingly, Sri Lanka Cricket has already cleared him to participate in the IPL, with secretary Bandula Dissanayake stating that the pacer has completed his rehab. However, KKR appear keen to take a cautious approach, ensuring he is fully match-ready before bringing him back into the playing XI.
Bowling concerns deepen as KKR look for solutions
While Pathirana’s delayed return is a concern, KKR’s bowling worries don’t end there. The team is also set to miss young Indian pacer Harshit Rana, who has been a key part of their setup in recent seasons. Rana suffered a knee injury during a T20 World Cup warm-up game and is likely to miss most, if not all, of IPL 2026.
Nayar acknowledged just how big a setback this is for the team.
“Firstly, it is a big blow, because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last couple of seasons, including the championship season. He’s grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it’s not easy to replace him,” he admitted.
With two important pacers unavailable, KKR are now actively exploring their options. The team management, along with the leadership group, is assessing domestic bowlers who could step up and fill the gap.
“Over the last few days, we’ve looked at a few bowlers. We’re trying to evaluate, with the help of the leadership group, who fits in and who can do that role to the best of their prowess. We’re still evaluating that and haven’t made that decision yet,” Nayar added.
In the meantime, KKR have already made one adjustment by bringing in Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. While that adds some depth, the absence of proven performers like Pathirana and Rana will still be felt.
As the three-time champions prepare to kick off their season, the focus will be on managing this transition period effectively. If they can stay competitive in the early games, Pathirana’s expected return in mid-April could provide the spark they need to build momentum.
For now, though, KKR will have to rely on their existing resources and hope their reshuffled bowling attack can rise to the occasion.
