Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar shared a crucial update on their Rs 18 crore Sri Lankan recruit Matheesha Pathirana. Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home, KKR are relying on Blessing Muzarabani and an inexperienced pace attack. While Cameron Green is still a few games away from his bowling, Nayar revealed that KKR are in constant touch with the physio team of Sri Lankan cricket. The pacer will have to prove his fitness via practice matches to get NOC to play in the IPL.
"I think just on Pathirana, I think we've got clear communication as to where he's at right now. He's obviously building up his workloads. There will be a fitness test that Sri Lankan Board will conduct, post which the decision on him getting NOC and travelling to Kolkata or wherever will be taken. So, I think we've got constant feedback from them,” Nayar said in the pre-match press conference on April 1.
"We've got their reports. Our physio team is in touch with their physio team. So, there has been a lot of clarity on the dates. And we are hoping that he can go through those fitness tests, play those practice matches that Sri Lankan cricketers organise for him before they let him go. So, once all those formalities are done, we are hoping and fingers crossed, we have him on our side," Nayar added.
KKR’s bowling stocks dip
KKR have already lost the services of Harshit Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Akash Deep. Bangladesh’s Mustafizur had to be released on the directive of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which led to a chain reaction.
In their IPL 2026 opener, KKR were humbled by Mumbai Indians (MI) openers. Vaibhav Arora conceded 52 runs from four overs, Muzarabani went wicketless on IPL debut, conceding 34 runs from three overs. Kartik Tyagi's KKR debut was expensive too, conceding 43 runs from four overs.
KKR spinners have not been in good form either. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been backed by the team management but he hasn’t been at his best since T20 World Cup 2026 knockout games. There is much pressure on Sunil Narine to deliver.