Questions continue to swirl over why Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is not yet available for the ongoing Indian Premier League. The pacer has already secured a no-objection clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket, but he still hasn’t joined the squad. With KKR sitting at the foot of the points table after a tough start, the delay is becoming a major talking point among supporters and observers.
Quick facts
- Matheesha Pathirana has received the no-objection certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket to play in the IPL.
- Despite the clearance, he has not yet linked up with Kolkata Knight Riders.
- KKR are struggling in the points standings, with five losses in six matches.
- KKR have one point so far because their match vs Punjab Kings was washed out by rain.
- Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull criticised KKR for not sharing updates about Pathirana.
- Doull said Pathirana has not arrived in India for IPL 2026, despite being bought by KKR.
- KKR bought Pathirana for Rs 18 crore at the IPL 2026 auction.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull was particularly blunt in his criticism of KKR’s lack of communication. He argued that while teams don’t need to reveal everything, they should at least provide enough clarity to prevent confusion and speculation from growing around a player’s status.
Doull also questioned where Pathirana actually stands in the process—whether he has been secured through the auction route, whether he is already on the move, or whether he is simply still not in the country. In his view, the absence of information is what fuels endless guessing, and he pointed out that there isn’t even a clear trail of updates from the franchise or social media chatter.
“You don’t have to tell the whole truth, but just tell something partially and provide some sort of explanation,” Doull said. He added that without any meaningful communication, the situation leaves room for frustration rather than answers.
He went further by highlighting the absurdity of the uncertainty. “We are wondering if he has been picked up in the auction, we know he’s on his way, or he’s here,” Doull remarked, before asking how logistical issues could be so difficult to resolve. He suggested that basic practical steps—like arranging travel and ensuring the player has a place in the team setup—shouldn’t remain unclear for long.
Pathirana was acquired by KKR for a significant fee of Rs 18 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. Yet, even after that investment, Doull said the key concern for fans is straightforward: knowing who is fit, who is available, and who is not—without leaving supporters in the dark.
Doull also urged KKR to show more transparency. He explained that if teams are open and honest about circumstances, they often get more goodwill from the public, even if the news is disappointing. In his words, people would at least understand the reality rather than being left to wonder what’s going on.
Meanwhile, KKR’s current predicament only intensifies the attention on Pathirana’s delay. The franchise has managed just one point from six matches, and their contest against Punjab Kings was washed out due to rain—meaning they missed a chance to build momentum. With the team struggling at the bottom, the arrival of a frontline pacer like Pathirana could have been a timely boost, making the ongoing uncertainty even more frustrating.
