Matheesha Pathirana Set to Join KKR for IPL 2026
Pathirana to Join KKR Camp
Matheesha Pathirana, the right-arm pacer, has received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after successfully passing the required fitness test, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. The 23-year-old cricketer is set to reunite with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who are three-time champions, for the remainder of the IPL 2026 season.
During the previous IPL auction, Pathirana was acquired for an impressive sum of Rs 18 crore. Reports indicate that he has fully recovered from his injury and is expected to join KKR on April 17. If he is cleared by the KKR medical team, he should be available for selection on April 19 for their home match against the Rajasthan Royals.
Previously, Pathirana had sustained a calf strain during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which sidelined him and caused him to miss KKR's first four matches in the ongoing IPL 2026.
His return is anticipated to enhance KKR's bowling lineup and provide additional options for captaincy during crucial death overs, where his distinctive bowling technique has shown to be particularly effective.
LSG Triumphs Over KKR in Nail-Biting Finish
In another thrilling match, the Lucknow Super Giants narrowly defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets in a dramatic last-ball finish at Eden Gardens, successfully chasing down a target of 182 runs in IPL 2026. Key contributions came from Ayush Badoni, who scored 54 runs, and Mukul Choudhary, who also made 54 not out, with Choudhary's explosive finishing play sealing the victory in the final over.
CricViz reported that the unbeaten 54-run partnership between Mukul Choudhary and Avesh Khan marked the highest for the 8th wicket or lower in a successful IPL chase. Mukul was instrumental, scoring 52 of those runs, while Avesh contributed with a single run off three balls.
Earlier in the match, KKR set a total of 181/4, thanks to solid performances from Ajinkya Rahane (41), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45), and a late surge from Rovman Powell and Cameron Green. Despite some effective bowling from KKR, LSG maintained their composure.
Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 181/4 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 41, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 45, Rovman Powell 39*; Manimaran Siddharth 1/34) lost to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) 182/7 in 20 overs (Mukul Choudhary 54*, Ayush Badoni 54; Anukul Roy 2/32, Vaibhav Arora 2/38) by 3 wickets.