Star Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been officially ruled out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 due to a muscle strain in his left leg. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved Dilshan Madushanka as his replacement for the remainder of the tournament. This injury also casts significant doubt over Pathirana's availability for the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, a major concern for his new franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]} ### Injury Details and World Cup Impact Pathirana, 23, sustained the injury during Sri Lanka's Group B match against Australia on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Pallekele. He was bowling his first over when he clutched his left leg in pain after delivering just three or four balls. Pathirana had to be assisted off the field and did not return to complete the over or the match.^{[1][2][9][3][5][10][11][7][8][12]} Scans later confirmed a muscle strain, specifically described as a calf strain, which requires several weeks to heal.^{[2][3][5][11][13][12]} Sri Lanka's batting consultant, Vikram Rathour, confirmed Pathirana's unfitness for the rest of the tournament. "I think he's been declared unfit for the rest of the tournament," Rathour told reporters, adding that an official announcement was imminent.^{[5][10][14][11][13][12]} The loss of Pathirana is a major blow to Sri Lanka's bowling attack, particularly in the crucial death overs where he excels with his unique "slingshot" action.^{[2][9][15][12]} This is the second significant injury setback for Sri Lanka in the tournament, as wrist-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was also ruled out earlier with a hamstring injury.^{[9][16][17][10][7]} Sri Lanka has already qualified for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.^[3][14] ### KKR's IPL 2026 Concerns The injury to Matheesha Pathirana presents a substantial challenge for the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026. KKR invested a hefty INR 18 crore to acquire Pathirana in the recent IPL auction, viewing him as a cornerstone of their pace attack.^{[1][2][4][14]} His distinctive bowling style, often compared to the legendary Lasith Malinga, makes him a highly effective bowler, especially during the crucial end overs of a T20 innings.^[2][9][18] Pathirana's potential absence, even for the initial phase, compounds existing concerns for KKR's pace battery. The franchise recently released Mustafizur Rahman, and another key pacer, Harshit Rana, is currently recovering from surgery, though he is expected to return mid-season.^{[1][2][4][17]} These setbacks leave KKR with significant worries regarding their fast-bowling options as the IPL 2026 season approaches. ### IPL 2026 Participation in Doubt Medical reports suggest Pathirana's recovery timeline will be at least three to four weeks. This period could force him to miss the opening stages of the IPL 2026 tournament.^[2][19][5] While some reports indicate that his overall participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League season is "not under threat at this stage," the immediate recovery period certainly casts doubt on his availability for the beginning of the tournament.^{[5][14][11][13]} For KKR, the uncertainty surrounding their INR 18 crore investment is a significant concern, as they rely on his unique skills to bolster their bowling lineup. The "Baby Malinga," as Pathirana is affectionately known, has quickly established himself as a prominent death-overs specialist in T20 cricket.^[2][18][12] His ability to deliver accurate yorkers and variations makes him a prized asset for any team. His absence from the T20 World Cup is a considerable blow for Sri Lanka's aspirations in the global tournament. For KKR, the coming weeks will involve a nervous wait, hoping for a swift and complete recovery that allows their star pacer to join the team as early as possible in IPL 2026.

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