Who can replace Matheesha Pathirana at KKR for IPL 2026 after Sri Lanka player limps off in T20 World Cup?

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Matheesha Pathirana, Sri Lanka's premier death-over specialist and sling-action pacer, suffered a worrying injury during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. In Sri Lanka's crucial Group B match against Australia on February 16, 2026, at Pallekele International Stadium, Pathirana limped off after bowling just four deliveries in his opening over.

The 23-year-old pulled up sharply in his follow-through on the fourth ball, clutching his left leg (calf/hamstring area) before collapsing to the ground in visible discomfort. He received immediate on-field treatment but was unable to continue, hobbling off with assistance and not returning to the field. Captain Dasun Shanaka completed the over.

Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement: "Matheesha Pathirana experienced discomfort in his left leg calf while bowling during the match and was unable to continue. He will not bowl further in this game. A scan will be conducted tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury."

Reports describe it variably as a suspected hamstring issue or calf strain, raising major concerns for the co-hosts, who rely heavily on his slingy pace and yorkers in the tournament. This blow comes amid Sri Lanka's campaign in the ongoing World Cup.

No further updates on severity or recovery timeline are available yet, as scans were pending post-match. Fans and the team await results, fearing it could sideline their key bowler for remaining fixtures. Pathirana's absence weakens Sri Lanka's bowling attack significantly in a high-stakes tournament.

Four players who may replace Matheesha Pathirana in KKR for IPL 2026

Amid this, it can be a concern for Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR bought Pathirana for Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2026 auction and he was supposed to be a big part of their Knight's jigsaw. If Pathirana's injury rules him out of the tournament, here are four players who can replace him.

Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) - His left-arm angle offers variety, excellent yorkers, and death-over control similar to Pathirana. He's affordable (base price around ₹1 crore in past contexts) and brings tactical edge to KKR's attack. The Afghan also has prior IPL experience and that can be an added boost.

Jason Behrendorff (Australia) - An experienced IPL campaigner with height, bounce, and powerplay/death skills. He provides proven T20 impact and could step in for immediate overseas pace support, especially on bouncy pitches.

Riley Meredith (Australia) - A raw-pace option with slingy action vibes and strong death-bowling credentials from Big Bash and past IPL stints. He's explosive and could replicate Pathirana's high-impact role in the back end.

Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka) - Suggested in fan discussions as a fellow Sri Lankan slinger with similar action and yorker prowess. He could be a direct stylistic replacement if KKR seeks continuity in that slingy pace department.