Sri Lanka’s pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana faces an uncertain future for IPL 2026 after suffering a calf injury during the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia on Monday, February 16, in Pallekele. The right-arm quick bowled just four deliveries before clutching his left calf and walking off the field.
The injury occurred in the fifth over of the innings. Pathirana collapsed immediately after his fourth ball, and the Sri Lanka physio rushed onto the field. He now faces doubts over his participation in the rest of the T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming IPL season.
Pathirana previously starred for Chennai Super Kings and played a crucial role in their 2023 IPL title triumph. Kolkata Knight Riders spent ₹18 crore to secure his services ahead of IPL 2026. During IPL 2025, he claimed 13 wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate above 10.
Pathirana became KKR’s second-most expensive acquisition at the 2026 auction, behind Cameron Green, who fetched a record ₹25.20 crore. If Pathirana cannot recover in time, KKR must look at the replacement pool to fill the void of their primary death-overs specialist.
Matheesha Pathirana – IPL Bowling Statistics
| Season/Tournament | Team | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL (Overall) | CSK | 32 | 32 | 702 | 1016 | 47 | 4-28 | 21.61 | 8.68 | 14.9 |
| IPL 2025 | CSK | 12 | 12 | 251 | 424 | 13 | 3-36 | 32.61 | 10.13 | 19.3 |
| IPL 2024 | CSK | 6 | 6 | 132 | 169 | 13 | 4-28 | 13 | 7.68 | 10.1 |
| IPL 2023 | CSK | 12 | 12 | 278 | 371 | 19 | 3-15 | 19.52 | 8 | 14.6 |
| IPL 2022 | CSK | 2 | 2 | 41 | 52 | 2 | 2-24 | 26 | 7.6 | 20.5 |
3 Players Who Can Replace Matheesha Pathirana at KKR for IPL 2026
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)
The Afghan left-arm seamer owns 191 wickets in 153 T20 matches across various global leagues, including the BBL, ILT20, and CPL. His previous IPL performances fell short of expectations. He finished as joint-highest wicket-taker at the 2024 T20 World Cup with 17 scalps.
Farooqi offers KKR left-arm variety and consistent 140+ kmph pace to challenge batters during middle-overs and death phases. The left-arm pacer currently represents Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup 2026.
Jason Behrendorff (Australia)
Jason Behrendorff swings the new ball both ways with precision. The Australian veteran uses his height to extract extra bounce, making him dangerous during powerplay overs. He maintains strong performances in the Big Bash League season after season.
His tactical awareness and experience in high-pressure tournaments make him a steady yet reliable replacement for any frontline pacer. He may not match Pathirana’s extreme pace, but his control over line and length helps him keep scoring rates low.
KKR would gain a bowler capable of dismantling top-order batting early, setting up their spinners to dominate the middle overs.
Riley Meredith (Australia)
Riley Meredith hits the deck hard and regularly touches 145 kmph. The Tasmanian quick brings raw pace and an aggressive approach to every spell. His stints with Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians give him valuable experience on Indian pitches.
If KKR want to replace Pathirana with another high-pace right-arm option capable of breaking partnerships, Meredith stands out as a strong candidate from the replacement pool.
