Matheesha Pathirana Likely to Miss Early IPL 2026 Matches, Return Expected Mid-April. The Kolkata Knight Riders have suffered a big setback. Their star fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana will miss the early matches. Pathirana is still recovering from a calf injury. He picked up this injury during the recent ICC T20 World Cup. Since then, he has been working on his fitness.
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Expected Return Timeline
Team sources say he may return around April 15 or 16. This means he will miss important early games. His absence weakens the team’s bowling attack. Pathirana is known for his deadly yorkers in the death overs. He often controls the game in the final few overs. KKR will miss his skills badly in close matches. The team management is being careful with his recovery. Sri Lanka Cricket has also set strict fitness rules. He must pass fitness tests before joining the IPL.
KKR already have injury problems in their squad. Other fast bowlers, such as Harshit Rana are also unavailable at the moment. This puts more pressure on the remaining players, such as Blessing Muzarabani. The team may try new bowlers in the playing eleven. Young players could get chances in the next matches. This could be a good opportunity for backups. Pathirana was one of KKR’s key signings this season. Fans were excited to see him perform for the team. His delay is disappointing for both fans and management.
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However, there is still hope for a strong comeback. He is expected to return during the middle phase. That timing could help KKR later in the tournament. If he returns fit, he can change matches quickly. His presence will boost the team’s confidence. KKR will hope he comes back stronger and sharper.