Huge blow to KKR, star player ruled out of IPL 2026 ahead of crucial DC clash; 26-yr-old roped in as replacement

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a massive setback right ahead of their do-or-die Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals. KKR's ace pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 due to injury.

Matheesha Pathirana out of IPL 2026

Meanwhile, the three-time champions have roped in Karnataka pacer Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement player for rest of IPL 2026. Sisodia steps into the squad to replace right-arm pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who has been officially ruled out for the rest of the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Sisodia, a wicketkeeper-batter who represents Karnataka in domestic cricket, is no stranger to the IPL, having previously been a part of both the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and KKR franchises. In his domestic career, he has featured in 15 T20 matches, scoring a total of 124 runs.

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KKR had secured Pathirana for a hefty Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, but his stint was plagued by setbacks from the start. An injury sustained during the 2026 T20 World Cup delayed his arrival, as Sri Lanka Cricket only issued his No-Objection Certificate four games into KKR’s season. The right-arm pacer then spent several weeks on the bench until their 12th match, where he finally debuted as an Impact Player. Tragically, his campaign lasted just eight deliveries before he was forced to trudge off the field with a season-ending hamstring injury.

Luvnith Sisodia comes in as Pathirana's replacement

To fill the vacancy, KKR signed wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia for INR 30 lakh. Sisodia, who was part of the KKR roster last year, joined the team's practice session on Saturday on the eve of their final, must-win league clash against the Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens. Although he has previously been part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad as well, Sisodia has yet to make his official IPL debut. Across his 15 domestic T20 appearances, he has scored 124 runs at a strike rate of 127.83.

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While Sisodia is not a direct, like-for-like replacement for a frontline fast bowler like Pathirana, his inclusion provides critical depth to a depleted wicketkeeping department. KKR’s first-choice keeper this season, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, was recently ruled out of the tournament after suffering a concussion and a fractured finger while attempting a catch against the Mumbai Indians. Tejasvi Dahiya initially filled in behind the stumps during that match and was later officially designated as Raghuvanshi's concussion substitute.

Heading into their high-stakes encounter against Delhi, KKR currently sit sixth on the points table. Their path to the playoffs is a steep uphill climb; they not only need to secure a massive victory to drastically improve their net run rate, but they must also rely on Mumbai Indians defeating Rajasthan Royals earlier in the day to keep their playoff hopes alive.