Matheesha Pathirana is all set to play his first match in the ongoing IPL 2026. Tomorrow, April 26, the Kolkata Knight Riders will be up against the home team, Lucknow Super Giants, at the Ekana Stadium. To keep in the play-offs contention, both of the teams will have to win the match number 38 of the ongoing season.
The Sri Lankan pacer has joined the team late, but it is good that the pacer is fully fit. Pathirana joined the IPL franchise after clearing all the fitness-related protocols set by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Soon after arriving in Kolkata, he started his training in the nets at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, ahead of the team.
Matheesha Pathirana is expected to play in the KKR vs LSG match on Sunday
If things go according to plan and expectations, then the sling pacer will make his debut in the KKR colors tomorrow, on the evening of Sunday. According to the latest media reports, the Lankan pacer was in full swing in Lucknow, ahead of their clash against the Rishabh Pant-led side.
Pathirana was spotted delivering back-to-back Yorkers in the training sessions, under the supervision of Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, and Tim Southee. Matheesha Pathirana is expected to be named straightaway in the playing XI against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Who will be dropped if Matheesha Pathirana joins the playing XI?
As per IPL guidelines, teams are allowed to play with only four overseas players. If KKR names Pathirana in the playing XI, then they will have to sacrifice one of their foreign talents. Who will the team consider dropping from the combination?
As per the possibilities, Tim Seifert is expected to be benched for the upcoming match. For the previous few matches, Seifert opened the innings along with the KKR spinner Ajinkya Rahane. The pair of Serifert and Rahane proved ineffective. The New Zealand international has failed to show his hitting skills with the Knights so far. Because of the poor form, there will be high chances to see Tim Seifert sitting on the bench in Lukcnow, during the game.
If the management of the Kolkata Knight Riders drops the Kiwi batter, then there will be a vacant spot for an overseas player, which can be Matheesha Pathirana. It will be interesting to see the combination of Matheesha Pathirana and Kartik Tyagi, the uncapped Indian pacer, whose deliveries clock around 150 kMPH, and emerges as one of the most effective bowlers for the team in the team.
KKR will try to bag 2nd win
The match will be crucial for Pathirana as well. The pacer, who made his IPL debut with the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022, slowly lost his momentum because of repeated injuries and inconsistent form. Because of his bowling action, cricket fans often call him ‘baby Malinga’.
KKR, who is currently at the 10th spot of the 10-team league with only one win in 1 win in 7 matches, will be hoping to see some Lasith Malinga-like Yorkers from the 23-year-old pacer. The Knight Riders gained their only win in their previous match against the Rajasthan Royals. With Pathirana on the side, the three-time IPL winners will try their best to claim their second win of the season.
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-(1).jpeg "IPL 2026: Match 37, CSK vs GT MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk")
