Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Abhishek Nayar has provided a crucial update on the availability of Matheesha Pathirana ahead of IPL 2026, confirming that the star pacer is likely to join the squad only by mid-April due to injury concerns. Pathirana, who was snapped up for a hefty ₹18 crore, was expected to play a key role in strengthening KKR’s death bowling. However, a hamstring injury sustained during the 2026 T20 World Cup has delayed his return.

Currently under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cricket, the pacer is undergoing rehabilitation, with fitness tests expected soon. “The latest communication we’ve had is that he could be match-fit around mid-April,” Abhishek Nayar revealed during a pre-season press conference, offering a cautious but hopeful update.

KKR’s bowling unit has taken multiple hits even before the season begins. Mustafizur Rahman is unavailable due to external factors, while promising Indian pacer Harshit Rana is set to miss the entire season following a knee ligament injury suffered during a T20 World Cup warm-up match.

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Nayar admitted Rana’s absence is a significant blow. “Harshit has been an integral part of this team. It’s never easy to replace someone like him,” he said, while confirming that the franchise is actively evaluating replacement options.

Despite the setbacks, the KKR camp remains optimistic. Nayar highlighted the depth in Indian fast-bowling talent, pointing towards options like Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi as potential reinforcements. Both bowlers bring IPL experience and raw pace, making them viable candidates to fill the void.

The presence of experienced names like Tim Southee in the setup also adds stability, while Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in the team’s overall bowling resources. “We have a strong group, including one of the best spin combinations in the tournament,” he said, also backing Vaibhav Arora to lead the attack in the early phase after his impressive performances in previous seasons.

While KKR continue to reassess their squad composition, the management is expected to finalise Rana’s replacement soon, with updates likely in the coming days.

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KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 29, followed by their first home fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 2 at Eden Gardens. With injuries disrupting their plans early, KKR face a challenging start — but with depth and smart reinforcements, they remain confident of staying competitive in the season ahead.