{"id":6989,"date":"2026-05-02T14:22:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T14:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/kkr-yet-to-debut-matheesha-pathirana-as-srh-clash-awaits-decision"},"modified":"2026-05-02T14:22:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T14:22:21","slug":"kkr-yet-to-debut-matheesha-pathirana-as-srh-clash-awaits-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/kkr-yet-to-debut-matheesha-pathirana-as-srh-clash-awaits-decision","title":{"rendered":"KKR Yet to Debut Matheesha Pathirana as SRH Clash Awaits Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent almost the first half of the IPL 2026 campaign waiting for Matheesha Pathirana to join the squad, yet the Sri Lankan fast bowler remains on the sidelines. Pathirana, who was acquired for \u20b918 crore at the auction, has been available for the franchise\u2019s most recent two matches, but he has still not made his debut. With KKR preparing to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, the team\u2019s plans for the pacer have not been officially confirmed.<\/p>\n

How Pathirana\u2019s IPL 2026 arrival unfolded<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. KKR had to wait nearly half of the IPL 2026 season for Pathirana\u2019s arrival.<\/li>\n
  2. Pathirana was bought for \u20b918 crore in the IPL 2026 auction.<\/li>\n
  3. He joined KKR\u2019s training group in mid-April after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up during the T20 World Cup 2026.<\/li>\n
  4. Despite being present for the team\u2019s last two games, Pathirana did not play either match.<\/li>\n
  5. KKR are still deciding whether he will feature against SRH on Sunday.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    KKR\u2019s recent form and overseas XI choices<\/h2>\n

    KKR endured a difficult start, losing five of their opening six matches. However, they have steadied their campaign slightly by winning two of their last two outings. Still, Pathirana was not included as KKR continued without a specialist overseas pace option in those games.<\/p>\n

    In their most recent stretch of three matches, KKR have leaned on a four-man overseas core made up of Cameron Green (signed for \u20b925.20 crore), wicket-keeper batter Tim Seifert, Rovman Powell from West Indies, and spin specialist Sunil Narine. Narine has been impactful, and Green has started to show flashes of what he can bring. Seifert and Powell, though, have struggled to contribute consistently with the bat. Seifert, in particular, has been dismissed for a duck in each of the last two matches.<\/p>\n

    Tim Southee on Pathirana ahead of SRH clash<\/h2>\n

    Tim Southee, KKR\u2019s bowling coach and a former New Zealand international, addressed Pathirana\u2019s selection ahead of the match versus SRH on May 3. At the pre-match press conference, Southee confirmed that Pathirana has joined the group and described his training as productive.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes, he (Pathirana) has arrived. He\u2019s been around the group for a little bit now,\u201d Southee said.<\/p>\n

    He added: \u201cWe\u2019ll look at conditions and make a decision on the side that we think is best for tomorrow\u2019s game. He\u2019s been bowling well at training, and it\u2019s great to have him a part of the side.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Other overseas options for KKR<\/h2>\n

    Alongside Pathirana, KKR have additional overseas resources to choose from, including Kiwi opener Finn Allen, all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, and Zimbabwe pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent almost the first half of the IPL 2026 campaign waiting for Matheesha Pathirana to join the squad, yet the Sri…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"KKR vs SRH: Matheesha Pathirana IPL Debut Update","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"KKR\u2019s Matheesha Pathirana still awaits his IPL debut as SRH clash nears\u2014latest update on his availability, selection call, and match plans.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\nKKR vs SRH: Matheesha Pathirana IPL Debut Update<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"KKR\u2019s Matheesha Pathirana still awaits his IPL debut as SRH clash nears\u2014latest update on his availability, selection call, and match plans.\" 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