Kolkata Knight Riders have brought in Luvnith Sisodia from Karnataka as cover for Matheesha Pathirana, ahead of their last round-robin meeting in IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals. The change comes after Pathirana was ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to a hamstring problem picked up during KKR’s win over Gujarat Titans last weekend.
Quick facts
- KKR signed Karnataka wicket-keeper batter Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for Matheesha Pathirana.
- Pathirana is sidelined for the remainder of IPL 2026 with a hamstring injury.
- The injury occurred during KKR’s win over Gujarat Titans last weekend.
- KKR paid INR 18 crore for Pathirana at the player auction.
- Pathirana’s IPL debut was delayed by a left calf injury after Sri Lanka’s Super Eight finish at the T20 World Cup.
- He joined KKR mid-April, eventually making the playing XI versus Gujarat Titans but bowled 1.2 overs before going off.
- Sisodia has played 15 T20 matches for Karnataka and has not yet appeared in the IPL.
- KKR previously had Sisodia in their plans, having signed him at the 2025 mega auction.
- KKR’s wicket-keeping depth is also affected after Angkrish Raghuvanshi was ruled out with a concussion and a finger fracture.
- KKR’s playoff path hinges on Rajasthan Royals losing to Mumbai Indians, but they also need a very big win versus Delhi Capitals to pass Punjab Kings for the Eliminator spot.
Pathirana had been one of KKR’s major acquisitions in the auction, with the franchise spending INR 18 crore to secure his services. His competitive debut in the tournament didn’t come immediately, as a left calf issue meant he had to wait for clearance to join the squad.
The hamstring setback has also followed a stop-start lead-up to the season. Pathirana’s journey to the IPL was delayed after he picked up the left calf injury during Sri Lanka’s Super Eight campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, before he finally received permission to link up with KKR in mid-April.
When he did get his chance, it came after warming the benches. Pathirana was named in the XII against Gujarat Titans, but after bowling just 1.2 overs, he was forced to leave the field with clear discomfort in his left hamstring.
Sisodia steps in
Sisodia, a left-handed wicket-keeper batter, has featured in 15 T20 matches for Karnataka. Despite being part of IPL squads in the past, he is yet to play an IPL game.
He has been linked with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and KKR previously, with KKR snapping him up at the 2025 mega auction. With this latest call-up, his arrival strengthens KKR’s wicket-keeping options as they deal with multiple fitness concerns.
The need for additional keeping cover has grown after Angkrish Raghuvanshi was ruled out with a concussion and a finger fracture. With Raghuvanshi unavailable, the franchise has now moved to ensure it is not left short in that department for the closing phase of the league stage.
KKR’s route to the playoffs is still alive, but it is finely balanced. They will remain in contention for a place in the next round if Rajasthan Royals lose to Mumbai Indians. Even then, KKR’s task is demanding: they must beat Delhi Capitals by a large margin to edge past Punjab Kings and secure the Eliminator spot.
