Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathiesha Pathirana has reportedly received his no objection certificate to participate in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), according to RevSportz. Pathirana will be heading to Chennai to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team, which is a big relief for the struggling franchise.
Kolkata Knight Riders had their worst start in the tournament after three losses and one abandoned match. Knight Riders had to struggle a lot in the last bowling overs. The franchise needs Pathirana after losing matches against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Mathisha Pathirana finally gets clearance to join KKR
According to RevSportz, Mathisha Pathirana has received his No Objection Certificate. The young fast bowler is set to join Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the upcoming match. His arrival comes at a crucial time for the team as they look to strengthen their squad during the challenging phase in the tournament.
BREAKING: Mathiesha Pathirana has got his NOC and is all set to join KKR soon.
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 12 April 2026
KKR had acquired Pathirana for a record ₹18 crore in the auction, making him a key part of their plans. The franchise saw him as an exceptional player to include in their squad, expecting him to play a major role in shaping their campaign this season.
Mathisha Pathirana returns from injury
Mathisha Pathirana suffered a serious injury to his left leg during the T20 World Cup 2026. The right-arm fast bowler had bowled only four balls against Australia before withdrawing from the tournament. He took two wickets at an excellent economy rate during his brief World Cup campaign.
Kolkata Knight Riders missed Pathirana after fast bowlers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana suffered season-ending injuries. The talented fast bowler will need to make an immediate impact to revive Kolkata Knight Riders’ struggling campaign this season.
Pathirana previously represented Chennai Super Kings in four Indian Premier League seasons. This fast bowler took 47 wickets in 32 matches for Chennai Super Kings. He played a key role in the title-winning season of 2023, taking 19 crucial wickets in 12 innings.
KKR in trouble after winless start to IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders are facing a disappointing start to IPL 2026. The team is at the bottom of the points table after four matches. They remain the only team without a win, earning just one point from a rain-aborted game against Punjab Kings, leaving fans worried about their poor form.
Their home performance has been disappointing, including a 65-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad and a three-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Ajinkya Rahane is facing criticism for his continuous batting changes and failing to organize bowling combinations.
Cameron Green, who became the richest foreign player in IPL, has had a poor performance. Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi was the lone positive, scoring 155 runs at a strike rate of 158 under pressure.
KKR will take on Chennai Super Kings on April 14 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Spin-friendly conditions may suit Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. Another defeat before the tournament reaches the halfway stage could send their playoff chances from difficult to mathematically impossible.
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