Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is expected to miss the initial phase of IPL 2026 and could join the squad by mid-April, head coach Abhishek Nayar said on Friday, March 20, 2026. Nayar said the franchise is in regular contact with Sri Lanka Cricket regarding the pacer’s recovery and availability.

“The latest update that we know is… he is obviously with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. They look after his rehab. The latest communication that we have sort of had is hopefully, somewhere in mid-April, they feel he will be match fit. That’s what we know as of now. That’s the update we got from the board," Nayar said at the pre-IPL press conference in Kolkata.

Pathirana has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup group-stage match against Australia on Feb. 16, and is currently undergoing rehabilitation under Sri Lanka Cricket. The pacer, signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹18 crore at the auction, is expected to play a key role in the team’s death bowling upon his return. He will require a no-objection certificate and fitness clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket before joining the squad.

KKR will also be without Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who has been released following a directive, and Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana, who has been ruled out of the season with a knee injury. The absence of key bowlers has added to the team’s concerns ahead of the tournament.

KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.