Having suffered three losses to start their IPL 2026 campaign, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could be in for a big boost as Matheesha Pathirana has reportedly received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Pathirana, the right-arm speedster, was bought for a sum of ₹18 crore by the three-time champions, who could use especially after a shattering defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Pathirana had sustained a calf/hamstring injury during T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Australia in Pallekele, rendering him unavailable for the start of the 19th edition of IPL. With pacer Nuwan Thushara reportedly not receiving NOC from SLC, Pathirana was hugely doubtful as well but the right-arm speedster has managed to receive it. According to Cricbuzz, Pathirana could be available for the Knight Riders as soon as for the clash against his former franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 14, Tuesday. But it remains to be seen if the management will rush him to the eleven, having only just recovered from the injury.
The Knight Riders are already reeling from the injuries to Harshit Rana and Akash Deep. While the likes of Vaibhav Arora, Cameron Green, Blessing Muzarabani and Kartik Tyagi have been carrying their bowling line-up, they have failed to curb the run-scoring as the KKR would have desired. Pathirana’s death-bowling skills will be hugely beneficial to the Kolkata-based franchise.
Meanwhile, Mukul Choudhary announced himself in style during the game against the Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. The 21-year-old from Jhunjunu was tasked with getting 30 off the last two deliveries went on to hammer seven sixes in his 26-ball unbeaten 54 as the Super Giants clinched a last-ball thriller.
