Sandy Verma
Tezzbuzz|12-04-2026
Right-arm pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after passing the mandatory fitness test, ESPNcricinfo reported. The 23-year-old will join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, for the remainder of the IPL 2026 season.
Pathirana, who was acquired for Rs 18 crore in last year’s IPL auction, has recovered from a calf strain sustained during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He is expected to join KKR on April 17 and could be available for selection as early as April 19 for the home match against Rajasthan Royals, pending approval from the KKR medical team.
The Sri Lankan speedster has missed KKR’s first four matches in IPL 2026 due to injury. His return is anticipated to strengthen KKR’s pace bowling options and provide tactical options in critical death overs through his distinctive bowling style.
In a IPL 2026 match at Eden Gardens, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets with a last-ball victory, chasing a target of 182 runs. Half-centuries from Ayush Badoni (54) and Mukul Choudhary (54*) anchored the successful run chase.
Choudhary’s explosive finish in the final over secured the win for LSG.CricViz noted that Choudhary and Avesh Khan’s unbeaten 54-run partnership was the highest for the eighth wicket or lower in a successful IPL chase. Mukul scored 52 runs in this stand, while Avesh remained 1 not out from 3 balls.
KKR posted 181/4 in their 20 overs, with notable contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (41), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45), Rovman Powell (39*), and Cameron Green. Despite disciplined bowling spells by KKR, LSG maintained composure to secure victory.
Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 181/4 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 41, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 45, Rovman Powell 39*; Mani Sidmaranharth 1/34) lost to Lucknow Super Giants 182/7 in 20 overs (Mukul Choudhary 54*, Ayush Badoni 54; Anukul Roy 2/32, Vaibhav Arora 2/38) by 3 wickets.
