Kolkata Knight Riders have been dealt a blow ahead of the business end of IPL 2026, with fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana ruled out after a hamstring injury sustained in the team’s win over Gujarat Titans. The franchise has moved quickly to address the vacancy, bringing in wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia as Pathirana’s replacement.
Pathirana had been a prized acquisition for KKR, snapped up for INR 18 crore during the IPL 2026 auction. However, the injury picture turned complicated after he picked up a setback during the 2026 T20 World Cup, which meant he was only able to receive a No-Objection Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket once KKR were already four matches into their season. Even after clearance, he spent time on the bench until KKR’s 12th league game, when he finally took the field as an Impact Player. In that debut outing for the franchise, Pathirana bowled just eight deliveries before having to leave the field with his hamstring problem worsening.
Sisodia arrives on a deal of INR 30 lakh and has been connected to KKR’s setup for some time. He was part of the squad last year and linked up with the team during practice on Saturday, setting the stage for KKR’s final, must-win league fixture against Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens.
Before this IPL opportunity, Sisodia had been associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, though he is yet to feature in an IPL match. In T20 cricket, he has played 15 games, amassing 124 runs at a strike rate of 127.83.
While Sisodia may not replace Pathirana in a direct, like-for-like manner in terms of bowling impact, KKR’s decision adds valuable depth in their wicketkeeping ranks. That becomes even more important after Angkrish Raghuvanshi—who has operated as the team’s preferred wicketkeeper this season—was also forced out of the competition. Raghuvanshi suffered concussion and a fractured finger while attempting to take a catch against Mumbai Indians, leaving KKR needing cover behind the stumps.
Tejasvi Dahiya stepped in for Raghuvanshi during the relevant period and was later formally introduced as his concussion substitute, ensuring the team could maintain balance in the wicketkeeping role. With Raghuvanshi now ruled out and Pathirana unavailable, KKR’s squad reshuffle for the DC contest reflects the pressure of both performance and fitness.
Heading into the match against Delhi Capitals, KKR sit sixth in the points table. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they must secure a big win, and they also need assistance elsewhere—specifically, they will be looking for Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals earlier in the day.
