KKR Hopes to Welcome Matheesha Pathirana by April 6 Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is anticipated to rejoin the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad by April 6, according to reports from RevSportz. The 29-year-old pacer, who signed with KKR for IPL 2026 for a record fee of Rs 18 crore, is currently in the final stages of recovery from a calf injury sustained during the T20 World Cup. He has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Sri Lanka and is set to undergo his fitness assessments in the coming week. Pathirana’s return to the team hinges on passing these evaluations, which are mandated by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for all players bound to franchise teams. The governing body requires athletes to meet specific fitness benchmarks before being granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), which allows them to participate in international leagues like the IPL. Previous cases, such as RCB’s Nuwan Thushara failing his assessment, highlight the strictness of this process. In contrast, players like Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis cleared their tests and have already joined their respective franchises. Despite regular net bowling sessions during his recovery, Pathirana has adopted a cautious approach to ensure his long-term fitness. This is partly due to his history of injuries, which has raised concerns about his ability to handle the demands of a grueling T20 season followed by international commitments. KKR has been closely monitoring his progress and expressed optimism about his potential return by April 6. However, the team remains dependent on the outcome of his fitness tests, which will determine whether he can contribute to their IPL 2026 campaign.#ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #sri_lanka_cricket #matheesha_pathirana #national_cricket_academy
