Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of IPL 2026, Matheesha Pathirana's return officially confirmed

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has already begun, with teams having played two matches each so far. Ahead of the third match, there have been some updates on Sri Lanka players who are a part of the IPL franchises. Wanindu Hasaranga, who was signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for an INR 2 crore base price, is yet to join the squad and has given no indication when he will join, as per a report in Cricbuzz.

On the other hand, Matheesha Pathirana, the pacer, was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 18 crore and is set to join the three-time IPL champions for the 19th edition of the tournament. Pathirana has already undergone the fitness test in Sri Lanka and is expected to join by 15th- 16th April. However, no official confirmation has been provided.

Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of IPL 2026?

Wanindu Hasaranga is still to undergo the fitness test that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has scheduled to conduct before granting its players' IPL NOCs. According to the most recent report from Sri Lankan sources, Hasaranga batted at the Sri Lanka camp at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo late last week, but did not bowl.

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There have been incidents where some IPL franchises believe that when overseas players are purchased at their base price, they do not perform, and they do not even appear for the season. Following a protest from Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024, the IPL governing council implemented punishments for overseas players who withdraw after the auction.

IPL ban for Wanindu Hasaranga?

It has been mentioned that if any overseas player, after being picked in the auction, withdraws from the IPL, then that player will be banned for three seasons and have to be back in the mega auction.

Twice such an incident happened when Harry Brook in 2025 withdrew from the auction, and this season it was Ben Duckett, and in both cases, the Delhi Capitals franchise had to suffer.

"We don't have any concrete update on Wanindu Hasaranga," said a source close to him. A similar response came from a Lucknow Super Giants source. As the source said, the franchise has no official information, and it would not be a surprise if they try to get a replacement. As per reports from Cricbuzz, they have asked SLC for an update.

KKR needs the service of Matheesha Pathirana ASAP

KKR needs to get the service of Matheesha Pathirana as early as possible, as the franchise has been struggling with death bowling at the moment, and he has been a brilliant bowler at the middle overs and the death as well. Matheesha Pathirana’s best came out under Dwayne Bravo in Chennai Super Kings, as the latter is now a mentor of KKR.

On the other hand, LSG are not missing much of Wanindu Hasaranga as of now as their spin department have played a good role in a few matches; however, his experience in the team would be required in the latter half of the league.

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