IPL 2026 in doubt? Matheesha Pathirana suffers injury during SL vs AUS match in T20 World Cup

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) might be in a spot of bother. The 2-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions have already lost one foreign fast bowler before the 2026 season commences after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed them to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman.

KKR has yet to name a replacement for him. Harshit Rana, their best Indian fast bowler, recently underwent knee surgery and is out indefinitely. There’s a chance that he misses the entire IPL 2026 season for them. And now, they might find another foreign fast bowler to replace Matheesha Pathirana.

Matheesha Pathirana suffers a leg injury

The Sri Lankan fast bowler, who they bought for INR 18 crore at the IPL 2026, has injured himself during the Sri Lanka vs Australia match in the T20 World Cup 2026. Bowling his first over of the game, Pathirana went down to the ground after delivering the fourth ball to Australia captain and opener Mitchell Marsh.

The unorthodox pacer clutched his left leg as he winced in pain. Commentators suggested that Pathirana could have injured his hamstring. The physio came running to tend him. But it was clear that Pathirana wouldn’t be able to continue. He was helped off the field, with Dasun Shanaka coming to bowl the remaining 2 balls of the 3rd over.

While Pathirana’s will dent KKR, it’ll be an even bigger problem for Sri Lanka. The co-hosts have already lost Wanindu Hasaranga to injury. If Pathirana doesn’t return, they could fail to qualify for the Super 8 stage.

The post IPL 2026 in doubt? Matheesha Pathirana suffers injury during SL vs AUS match in T20 World Cup appeared first on Inside Sport India.