Sri Lanka and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) speedster Matheesha Pathirana walked off after suffering a calf injury during the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia on Monday, February 16, in Pallekele. The right-arm fast bowler delivered only four balls before leaving the field clutching his left calf.
The incident occurred in the fifth over of the innings. After bowling his fourth delivery, Matheesha Pathirana went down immediately, prompting the Sri Lanka physio to check on him. He later walked off and is now a doubt for the remaining matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 and possibly the upcoming IPL 2026 season.
Matheesha Pathirana was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and played a decisive role in their IPL title victory in 2023. The Knight Riders signed him for a whopping ₹18 crore ahead of the 2026 edition. He picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate of over 10 during the IPL 2025 season.
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Matheesha Pathirana was KKR’s second-biggest buy in the 2026 auction, after Cameron Green, whom they acquired for a record-breaking ₹25.20 crore. If Pathirana is ruled out, KKR may need to explore the available talent pool to replace their primary death-overs specialist.
| Matheesha Pathirana – IPL Bowling Statistics | ||||||||||
| Season / Tournament | Team | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR |
| IPL (Overall) | CSK | 32 | 32 | 702 | 1016 | 47 | 4-28 | 21.61 | 8.68 | 14.9 |
| IPL 2025 | CSK | 12 | 12 | 251 | 424 | 13 | 3-36 | 32.61 | 10.13 | 19.3 |
| IPL 2024 | CSK | 6 | 6 | 132 | 169 | 13 | 4-28 | 13 | 7.68 | 10.1 |
| IPL 2023 | CSK | 12 | 12 | 278 | 371 | 19 | 3-15 | 19.52 | 8 | 14.6 |
| IPL 2022 | CSK | 2 | 2 | 41 | 52 | 2 | 2-24 | 26 | 7.6 | 20.5 |
3 Players Who Can Replace Matheesha Pathirana at KKR for IPL 2026
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)
The Afghan left-arm pacer has taken 191 wickets in 153 T20 matches across various leagues worldwide, including the BBL, ILT20, and the CPL. However, his previous IPL stints were underwhelming. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
For KKR, he can provide left-arm variety and a reliable 140+ kmph option to trouble batters during the middle-overs squeeze and at the death. The left-arm pacer is currently playing for Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Jason Behrendorff (Australia)
Jason Behrendorff has the ability to swing the new ball both ways. The Australian veteran uses his height to generate extra bounce, making him a threat during the powerplay overs. He has been a consistent performer in the Big Bash League.
His tactical discipline and experience in high-pressure tournaments make him a safe yet effective replacement for any frontline pacer. While he may not bowl at extreme speeds like Pathirana, his control over line and length helps him restrict the scoring rate.
For KKR, signing Behrendorff would mean adding a bowler capable of breaking through the top order early, allowing their spinners to control the middle overs.
Riley Meredith (Australia)
Riley Meredith is a hit-the-deck fast bowler who can consistently clock speeds of around 145 kmph. The Tasmanian speedster brings raw pace and aggression. Having played for Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, Meredith is familiar with the demands of the Indian subcontinent.
If KKR look to replace Pathirana with another high-pace right-arm option who can break partnerships, Meredith is one of the available choices in the replacement pool.
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