Irfan Pathan Praises KKR's Enhanced Bowling Line-Up with Matheesha Pathirana

Irfan Pathan's Insights on KKR's Bowling Strength

Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder for India, has expressed confidence in the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) bowling capabilities following the acquisition of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. He shared his thoughts on KKR's bowling unit via his official social media account, highlighting that the team is now equipped to manage matches effectively throughout all stages of a T20 innings. Pathan remarked, "With Matheesha Pathirana joining KKR, they have effectively addressed all phases of the 20 overs in their bowling strategy."

Analysis of KKR's Bowling Strategy

Pathan elaborated on the roles of various bowlers within the team, stating:

• Harshit Rana - Powerplay, Death overs


• Vaibhav Arora - Powerplay


• Cameron Green - Middle overs, HTD


• Matheesha Pathirana - Middle overs, Death overs


• Varun Chakravarthy - Powerplay, Middle overs


• Sunil Narine - Middle overs

Pathirana's Impressive Auction Price

In a significant move during the IPL 2026 auction, Matheesha Pathirana was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders for an astounding Rs 18 crore. The bidding commenced with Delhi Capitals showing interest, followed by Lucknow Super Giants entering the competition. As the auction progressed, the bids escalated, reaching Rs 10.4 crore. When the price hit Rs 15.8 crore, KKR made a decisive move, first bidding Rs 16 crore and then quickly increasing it to Rs 18 crore, ultimately securing the player.