'Don’t tell the whole truth, but…': KKR slammed over Matheesha Pathirana’s IPL 2026 absence
Published - 18 Apr 2026, 12:16 PM | Updated - 18 Apr 2026, 01:02 PM
Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana’s availability remains in jeopardy, as he has yet to take the field for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the ongoing IPL 2026. According to the latest reports, Pathirana, who joined the franchise for INR 18 crore, has cleared the fitness protocols set by the Sri Lanka Cricket, but he is yet to play his first IPL 2026 for KKR.
Matheesha Pathirana might have handed the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka’s cricket governing body, but no one knows when the pacer will be available to play for Kolkata. Without the slinger, the Knight Riders have been struggling to perform.
Matheesha Pathirana has already missed 6 IPL 2026 matches for KKR
The pacer missed the match against the Gujarat Titans as well. In total, he has already missed 6 matches in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. In these 6 matches, KKR did not manage to win any of them. With only 1 point, which came from the washed-out match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Eden Gardens, they are ranked 10th in the 10-team league.
Ahead of the Gujarat Titans match, a KKR spokesperson informed the media that the 23-year-old has indeed received the NOC but is yet to link up with the squad due to logistical reasons.
Former New Zealand pacer, now a cricket commentator and pundit, Simon Doull, is absolutely disgusted with the matter, as there is a lack of transparency about the availability of Matheesha Pathirana.
Just tell something partially: Simon Doull
After the GT vs KKR match, where the Knight Riders bagged a 5-wicket defeat, Doull stated that the franchise should have shared some official information so that everyone could be aware of the actual scenario.
“You don't have to tell the whole truth, but just tell something partially and provide some sort of explanation. It kind of leaves you alone; there is no social media speculation, and there is no speculation from us,” the former Kiwi pacer said on Cricbuzz.
“We are wondering if he has been picked up in the auction, we know he's on his way, or he's here. Logistical reasons? What? Can't someone find the car key to get him in the car, or is there no seat on the bus for him? We can only laugh about it because we aren't told. We just want to know when he can be available,” he added.
Not only the Kolkata Knight Riders, but also some other IPL franchises had to suffer regarding some of their overseas players. After the conclusion of the 2026 T20 World Cup, multiple cricketers went for recovery or rehabilitation sessions.
Doull's suggestions for all IPL teams
“That's what you always do. It's not just KKR, it's every team in this league. They hide things. We need to make assumptions. The franchises hide behind things, thinking it's for the side's benefit. It's not. That's where all the speculation comes from. I said it on the air during the last game, just be open, put out a message on social media. These are the reasons,” the cricket expert also stated.
"I don't really want to see your players eating cake or having coffee. I would rather know who is available and who is not available. Just be open, some transparency. If you are open and honest about things, you will get some leeway, and people will go, ‘Oh, that’s a real shame," he continued.
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