Sri Lanka Cricket has finally granted NOC to pacer Matheesha Pathirana after the 23-year-old cleared the fitness test. The 23-year-old pacer will now be able to join the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the ongoing IPL season. As per reports, the pacer has fully recovered from the calf injury that he suffered during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

Pathirana might join the KKR squad on the 17th of April, but he will be available to play in the game against the Rajasthan Royals on the 19th of April only if he is declared fully fit. Pathirana’s inclusion will add width in the pace department for KKR as the team is struggling to find form. KKR have earned just 1 point in the ongoing season so far and are in 10th position in the points table.

The 19th edition has been a disappointing one for the KKR so far, as two of their pacers, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, are out due to injuries, while spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s form is a cause of concern.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green’s return from a lower back injury has affected his form, as the 26-year-old wasn’t allowed to bowl, and his performance with the bat has looked below par so far this season.

KKR couldn’t defend 220 in their first game against the Mumbai Indians, and lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad on the 2nd of April by 65 runs, chasing 227. They also lost to Lucknow Super Giants on the 9th of April, despite scoring 181/4 in 20 overs.

Pathirana was expected to join the KKR team by the middle of April. The 23-year-old pacer was bought for a sum of INR 18 crore by KKR last season. For the NOC, Sri Lankan cricket needs a player to pass the fitness test, and Pathirana hadn’t undergone the fitness test till last week. After this fitness test and with Sri Lanka cricket giving him the NOC, the 23-year-old would be joining the KKR team this week.