Matheesha Pathirana IPL 2026 (Source: AFP)Three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders will host Mumbai Indians in their next IPL 2026 fixture at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata tonight, May 20.Mumbai Indians are already out of the playoffs and have been eliminated. They also have a couple of games left in their 2026 campaign, giving them a chance to spoil the party for their opponents.Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, are still in contention for the playoffs, and the only way to keep their hopes alive is to beat the Mumbai-based franchise by a comfortable margin, which will take their tally to thirteen points. With the tournament fast approaching its business end, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane would want all his players fully fit and match-ready. That being said, in this article, let’s explore whether Matheesha Pathirana will play in the KKR vs MI IPL match today. What happened to Matheesha Pathirana? Kolkata Knight Riders’ pacer Rs 18 crore recruit, Matheesha Pathirana, finally got into action for them against Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, their joy was short-lived, as the pacer injured his left calf during the game. Also read: India vs Afghanistan Squad Announced- Full List Of Common Players In ODIs And TestFor the unversed, Pathirana missed the initial phase of the tournament due to the same calf injury he had suffered in the T20 World Cup 2026 that concluded in March. In his maiden game for KKR, the pacer bowled only eight balls before walking off the ground due to injury.Will Matheesha Pathirana play against MI? However, it seems the pacer rushed his recovery. After bowling just one over, he pulled his calf muscle again and walked off the field limping in pain. That scene was devastating for KKR, who paid INR 18 crores at the auction to secure his services. Moreover, according to the latest reports, Matheesha Pathirana didn’t turn up for the practice session, as he is still being assessed by the franchise’s medical team.As per the recent reports KKR pacer, with just hours left for the KKR vs MI clash, it is highly unlikely that Pathirana will continue to don the purple and gold colours.What KKR need to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?With their campaign hanging by a thread, Kolkata Knight Riders will have no option but to go all out against an already-eliminated Mumbai Indians. A defeat will officially end KKR’s playoff hopes for the second successive season under Ajinkya Rahane after their disappointing eighth-place finish in 2025, a year after lifting the title under Shreyas Iyer. Since registering their first win against Rajasthan Royals, KKR have looked like a transformed side.Finn Allen has rediscovered his form at the top, smashing a century and a blistering 35-ball 93 in his last three innings, while young keeper-batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green have grown in confidence with every game.Rahane has been the only weak link at the top, but vice-captain Rinku Singh has lived up to his finishing role in the middle order.KKR, however, have injury concerns over Matheesha Pathirana and Varun Chakravarthy.The Indian star spinner played the previous match despite a hairline fracture in his left leg, something that reportedly has not gone down well with the BCCI.Also read: 0 From CSK, Just 1 From RCB: IPL Team-Wise Players In India Squad For Afghanistan ODIs
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