Kolkata Knight Riders’ depleted bowling attack is set to receive a boost, as Sri Lanka’s pacer Mathisha Pathirana has cleared the Sri Lanka Cricket Board’s mandatory fitness test and is expected to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket to participate in the tournament.It is not confirmed whether he will be available for the CSK match. However, TimesofIndia.com has learned that the player will join KKR in Chennai. KKR is scheduled to play CSK in Chibok on Tuesday.KKR had a difficult start to the season, suffering three defeats and one match ending without a result. Their problems were evident in the deaths, as they struggled to control opposition fighters. Losses to Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants highlighted these concerns, making Pathirana’s return important.
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The franchise signed him for Rs 18 crore in the auction. His participation was uncertain after a left leg injury during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, in which he bowled just four balls against Australia before leaving the field.Pathirana previously played for Chennai Super Kings, where he took 47 wickets in 32 matches and contributed to the team’s 2023 title win. His experience of bowling at the death could help a KKR bowling unit that has been lacking in consistency, especially with injuries to key players.
KKR’s concerns are not limited to their bowling. The team ranks last in the standings with one point from four matches. Captain Ajinkya Rahane has faced criticism over the changes in the batting order. Cameron Green has not achieved good results so far, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi has shown some promise.KKR next face CSK in Chennai, where conditions could suit Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.
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KKR had earlier also lost Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the franchise to release him from the team, and Indian pacer Harshit Rana due to injury.