Mathisha Pathirana is all set to play his first match in the ongoing IPL 2026. Tomorrow, April 26, Kolkata Knight Riders will face home team, Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. To remain in the race for the playoffs, both the teams will have to win match number 38 of the current season.
The Sri Lankan pacer has joined the team late, but the good thing is that the pacer is completely fit. Pathirana joined the IPL franchise after clearing all the fitness-related protocols set by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Soon after reaching Kolkata, he started his training at the nets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata before the team.
Mathisha Pathirana is expected to play in the KKR vs LSG match on Sunday
If things go as per plan and expectations, the slinging pacer will make his debut in KKR colors tomorrow, Sunday evening. According to the latest media reports, the Lankan pacers were in full swing in Lucknow ahead of the clash against the Rishabh Pant-led side.
Pathirana was seen bowling back-to-back yorkers in training sessions under the tutelage of Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson and Tim Southee. Mathisha Pathirana is expected to be named straight into the playing eleven against Lucknow Super Giants.
If Mathisha Pathirana joins the playing eleven then who will be dropped?
As per IPL guidelines, teams are allowed to play with only four foreign players. If KKR includes Pathirana in the playing eleven, they will have to sacrifice one of their foreign talents. Who will the team consider removing from the combination?
As per the prospects, Tim Seifert is expected to be kept on the bench for the upcoming match. In the last few matches, Seifert had opened the innings with KKR spinner Ajinkya Rahane. The pair of Serifert and Rahane proved ineffective. The New Zealand international has failed to showcase his hitting skills with the Knights so far. Due to poor form, Tim Seifert will more than likely be seen sitting on the bench at Lucknow during the game.
If the Kolkata Knight Riders management removes the Kiwi batsman, then the space will be freed up for a foreign player, which could be Mathisha Pathirana. It will be interesting to watch the combination of Mathisha Pathirana and uncapped Indian fast bowler Karthik Tyagi, whose balls travel at a speed of around 150 kmph and emerge as one of the most effective bowlers for the team.
KKR will try to get second win
This match will also be important for Pathirana. The fast bowler, who made his IPL debut with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022, gradually lost his rhythm due to frequent injuries and inconsistent form. Cricket fans often call him ‘Baby Malinga’ because of his bowling action.
KKR, which is currently at number 10th With only 1 win from 7 matches in the 10-team league, one would expect to see some yorkers like Lasith Malinga from the 23-year-old fast bowler. Knight Riders had achieved their only win in their previous match against Rajasthan Royals. Along with Pathirana, the three-time IPL winners will try their best to claim their second win of the season.
Read More: ‘Shreyas Iyer will surpass MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma’: Irfan Pathan’s bold captaincy prediction
