Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana lasted just eight balls on his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026, leaving the field after some discomfort to his hamstring during the second innings against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Kolkata.
The slinger from Sri Lanka came in as an Impact Player during KKR's bowling innings and was introduced in the fourth over. He conceded seven runs in his opening over.
But during his second over, Pathirana suggested discomfort near his hamstring region after delivering the first delivery, and went on the floor. He required treatment from the team physio and attempted another delivery, but it was a half-hearted one, holding himself back from going at full tilt. After a conversation with KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, Pathirana left the field, two balls into his second over.
Pathirana's participation in IPL 2026 was a much-awaited one at KKR, bought for INR 18 crore (approx US$ 1.875 million), but one that was delayed owing to his fitness issues. At the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pathirana left Sri Lanka's game against Australia midway through a spell and eventually missed the whole tournament.
Then, when it came to his IPL participation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) required Pathirana to pass fitness tests on his calf injury before giving him a no-objection certificate (NOC). The certificate was issued to Pathirana only four games into KKR's IPL campaign, during a time the franchise lost all their games.
He was on the bench right up until KKR's 12th game of the season, on Saturday evening against GT, but his stay lasted less than 30 minutes.