KKR Receive Huge Matheesha Pathirana Boost (Source: AFP Photos)Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been going through a lot off the field, and one of the major reasons has been the injury concerns surrounding Matheesha Pathirana.The Sri Lankan pacer suffered a calf injury during the T20 World Cup 2026 and was later replaced by Dilshan Madushanka. Since then, the KKR fans have been worried about the death-over specialist, for which they spent as heavily as INR 18 Crore in the latest IPL auction.Thankfully, the Purple and Gold Brigade can breathe a sigh of relief, as Revsportz reported the days are not too far off before he returns to action.Pathirana To Play KKR's 1st IPL 2026 Home MatchIf things go right and smoothly as of now, Pathirana, as mentioned by Revsportz, could play the first home match of the season for KKR, which is on April 2. The three-time IPL champions will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on that date at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.The Revsportz report further mentioned that Pathirana is yet to be fully cleared to play by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). However, the SLC approval is supposed to be done by March 25-27, with the current progression, and hence, he could then travel to Kolkata and be eligible for KKR vs SRH IPL 2026 match.Also Read: Matheesha Pathirana Injury Update: KKR Official Makes Shocking Claim Ahead Of IPL 2026Moreover, Pathirana is yet to apply for the No Objection Certificate (NOC), as RevSportz confirmed. The Sri Lankan will only apply for it once he clears his fitness test to bowl the certain numbers of overs.Matheesha Pathirana Returns To BowlingNevertheless, Matheesha Pathirana is back in action, at least in nets. Although he is still not at his absolute best, people close to him have confirmed to RevSportz that he should be fit and fine soon to get the NOC from the SLC in the coming days.With Mustafizur Rahman's ban, coupled with Harshit Rana’s injury, KKR desperately want Pathirana to be back to full fitness as soon as possible. They have signed Blessing Muzarabani as a cover, but the Purple and Gold brigade lacks someone who has led a pace attack in the past in the IPL. Pathirana is a perfect fit for it.KKR IPL 2026 ScheduleEven though KKR will play their first home match versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 2, their IPL 2026 journey will begin on March 29, against their nemesis Mumbai Indians. To make matters worse, Wankhede Stadium will host the contest.Once MI vs KKR and KKR vs SRH matches are over, Kolkata Knight Riders will face Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rishabh Pant's Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Both their matches against PBKS and LSG will be held at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, on April 6 and April 9 respectively.Also Read: KKR IPL 2026 Squad Analysis: Predicted Playing XI, SWOT And Expected Finish
