According to reports, Matheesha Pathirana will not play in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) because Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has not given him a No-Objection Certificate. It is the second Kolkata Knight Rider player who will have to sit out IPL 2026 after the BCCI had earlier ordered the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladesh cricketer.
KKR acquired pathirana during the mini auction at IPL at a price of INR 11.00 crore to enhance their pace attack but everything might not pay off. When the reason was denied to Pathirana to play in the tournament where there is cash prize is yet to be disclosed but assumption is that fast bowler has failed to pass the fitness test.
KKR Await Clarity on Pathirana as Replacement Plans Take Shape
Pathirana, according to FPJ, has been out of the cricket field since a long time. The former Chennai Super Kings player had also missed Sri Lanka-England series and the following ICC Men T20 World Cup which the Lankan Lions hosted in their home.
In the case of Rahman, KKR had sufficient time to spare, to get another agreement signed with the Zimbabwean bowler Blessing Muzarabani. The three time winners are however already making their preparations to the next season that starts on March 28. Consequently, the franchise will be in a rush to get the most suitable person to replace the Sri Lankan international.
No official announcement has been made on the issue as of now by both KKR and the IPL Technical Committee but they are likely to announce as soon as possible since the ten team event is just few days before its grand opening.
