Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana reportedly received his No Objection Certificate to participate in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), as per RevSportz. Pathirana will travel to Chennai to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad, which comes as a massive relief for the struggling franchise.
Kolkata Knight Riders got off to their worst start to the tournament after suffering three defeats and one abandoned match. The Knight Riders struggled significantly in the final bowling overs. The franchise needs Pathirana after losing matches against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Matheesha Pathirana Finally Cleared to Join KKR
According to RevSportz, Matheesha Pathirana has received his No Objection Certificate. The young pacer is set to join Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the upcoming match. His arrival comes at an important time for the team as they look to strengthen their squad during a challenging phase in the tournament.
BREAKING: Matheesha Pathirana has received his NOC and is set to join KKR soon.
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) April 12, 2026
KKR had secured Pathirana for a record ₹18 crore in the auction, making him a key part of their plans. The franchise viewed him as the standout addition to their squad, expecting him to play a major role in shaping their campaign this season.
Matheesha Pathirana Returns From Injury
Matheesha Pathirana suffered a severe left-leg injury during the T20 World Cup 2026. The right-arm pacer bowled only four deliveries against Australia before pulling out of the tournament. He took two wickets with an excellent economy rate during his brief World Cup campaign.
Kolkata Knight Riders missed Pathirana after fast bowlers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana suffered season-ending injuries. The talented pacer will need to make an immediate impact to revive Kolkata Knight Riders’ struggling campaign this season.
Pathirana previously represented Chennai Super Kings across four Indian Premier League seasons. The fast bowler picked up 47 wickets in 32 matches for Chennai Super Kings. He played a key role in their 2023 title-winning season, taking 19 crucial wickets in 12 innings.
KKR in Crisis After Winless Start to IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders are enduring a disastrous IPL 2026 start. The team is at the bottom of the table after four matches. They remain the only team without a win, earning just one point from a rain-abandoned game against Punjab Kings, leaving fans concerned about their poor form.
Their home performances have been disappointing, including a 65-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad and a three-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Ajinkya Rahane is facing criticism for constant batting changes and failing to settle the bowling combination.
Cameron Green, who became the richest overseas player in the IPL, has underperformed. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been the lone positive, scoring 155 runs at a strike rate of 158 under pressure.
KKR will face Chennai Super Kings at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on April 14. The spin-friendly conditions may suit Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy. Another defeat could push their playoff chances from difficult to mathematically improbable before the tournament reaches its halfway stage.
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