KKR's Shane Watson Discusses Matheesha Pathirana's IPL 2026 Availability

In a recent press conference, KKR's assistant coach Shane Watson addressed the uncertainty surrounding Matheesha Pathirana's availability for the IPL 2026 season. Due to a calf strain, Pathirana is expected to miss the early matches, with hopes of returning by mid-April. Watson emphasized the importance of not rushing the player back to avoid further injury, highlighting the team's commitment to ensuring Pathirana's health and successful integration into the squad. As a key acquisition in the auction, his presence is highly anticipated.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 28, 2026, 23:30 IST

Waiting for Pathirana's Return

Shane Watson, the assistant coach for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has indicated that the situation regarding Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is uncertain.

KKR's head coach, Abhishek Nayar, previously announced that Pathirana would miss the initial matches of the IPL due to a calf strain. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation with Sri Lanka Cricket and is expected to be available only from mid-April. Pathirana was acquired by KKR for ₹18 crore during the IPL 2026 auction.

Watson's Assurance on Player Health

During a pre-match press conference ahead of KKR's IPL 2026 opener against the Mumbai Indians on March 29, Watson emphasized the importance of patience regarding Pathirana's recovery. He stated that the team is in close communication with Sri Lanka Cricket to ensure the bowler returns in optimal condition without being rushed back.

"At the moment, it's a waiting game with Pathirana. We're following the guidance of Sri Lanka Cricket and doing everything possible to facilitate his arrival here. Our medical and support staff at KKR are top-notch, and we share the same goal as Sri Lanka Cricket: to have Pathirana fit and ready. We would never want to push him back too soon," Watson remarked.

Watson further highlighted that KKR is cautious about Pathirana's return to avoid any risk of re-injury. He expressed hope that Pathirana would join the team soon, allowing for a smooth integration process, especially since he was a key target during the auction. "We certainly don't want him to play in the first game if it means coming back too early and risking further injury. We hope he can join us sooner rather than later so we can start integrating him into KKR, as he was one of our top priorities in the auction," he added.