Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders (MI vs KKR) fans have received multiple significant updates regarding some of their main cogs in the IPL 2026 season. Ahead of the match, there was uncertainty over the star players like Jasprit Bumrah and Matheesha Pathirana.
While Jasprit Bumrah is the pace spearhead of MI, Pathirana is expected to lead the bowling attack of KKR. Bumrah’s recent visit at BCCI’s Center of Excellence sparked injury scares ahead of the match.
Multiple injury concerns ahead of the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 match in Mumbai
KKR and MI will face each other at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29, the next day of the season opener. On the other side, the Sri Lankan slingy pacer, Matheesha Pathirana, is yet to join KKR for IPL 2026, as he has been going through a rehabilitation process.
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During the pre-match press conference, both teams provided updates on their respective pacers. Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene informed that Bumrah is all set to play the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. From KKR’s end, their assistant coach Shane Watson informed that they are still waiting for confirmation from the Sri Lanka Cricket about Matheesha Pathirana’s availability for the IPL 2026 season.
Words from the mouths of the coaches
“Jassie (Jasprit Bumrah) is back with the (MI) squad and he is available to play,” the MI head coach said ahead of their match at the Wankhede Stadium.
“It’s a waiting game at the moment on Pathirana. We are waiting for a word from Sri Lanka Cricket. We hope sooner rather than later we get Pathirana here and start the integration process with KKR,” Shane Watson mentioned.
Why there are doubts over Jasprit Bumrah and Matheesha Pathirana?
Only a few days ago of the opening match of the IPL 2026, Jasprit Bumrah went to the board’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru which sparked speculations among the Mumbai Indians fans as the facer will be their main canon in their bowling arsenal. Later, it was revealed that the pacer’s visit to the center was not because of any injury, but to keep himself for the upcoming matches. According to reports, the seamer went through a strength and conditioning training in Bengaluru.
Matheesha Pathirana remains an unsolved puzzle even hours before the first match of the Kolkata Knight Riders. The fast bowler is in his home nation, Sri Lanka, because Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board’s strict stance about their key players. Through an official statement, SLC made it clear that No Objection Certificate will be issued only if the players prove their fitness levels. So far, Pathirana is yet to show his fitness level at its peak, and is yet to receive the No Objection Certificate.
When or it is better to tell, whether Pathirana will get his NOC is remain uncertain, even the franchise is waiting for the official confirmations from SLC. Though, MI fans will be happy to know, that Jasprit Bumrah is all set to rock on the field.
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