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New Delhi: Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana’s return lasted for just eight deliveries on his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026 against Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 16. He left the field after some discomfort in his hamstring. Pathirana came in as an Impact Player during KKR’s bowling innings and was introduced in the fourth over. He gave just seven runs in his first over.

But during his second over, the pacer suggested discomfort near his hamstring after bowling the first delivery, and went to the ground. Pathirana needed treatment from the team physio and tried to bowl another delivery, but didn’t put his full effort into it. After having a conversation with KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, Pathirana left the field, with four balls his second over.

He was bought by KKR for Rs 18 crore, but his participation in the IPL 2026 got delayed due to fitness problems. Pathirana left the field midway through a spell during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Australia, and eventually ruled out of the tournament.

Pathirana delivered strong performances for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and KKR had high hopes for the Sri Lankan pacer. In 33 IPL matches, he has taken 47 wickets at an average of 21.66 and established himself as one of the best death-over specialists.

To participate in the IPL 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) required Pathirana to pass mandatory fitness tests on his calf injury before providing him with a no-objection certificate (NOC). The SLC issued the NOC to Pathirana only four games into KKR’s IPL season, during a time the franchise lost all its matches. He spent time on the bench right up until KKR’s 12th match of the season, but his stay lasted less than 30 minutes.

Pathirana might be the only player in IPL history to earn 18 crore for bowling just 8 deliveries in an entire season. 2.25 crore per ball.

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)

– Missed 11 matches due to injury
– Came in the 12th match
– Bowled one over
– Bowled 2 wides
– Got injured in the 2nd over
– Left the ground

Matheesha Pathirana took ₹18 crore from KKR just to recover from injury. Bro literally scammed KKR and SRK 💀😭 pic.twitter.com/ETvtL3tZG0

— TEJASH (@Tejashyyyyy)

From being compared to Malinga to being considered finished. Pathirana’s downfall is crazy. pic.twitter.com/GPaMcn3rXf

— ` (@Itz_Bl3ze)

That’s rough 😕 Matheesha Pathirana walking off after just 8 balls isn’t ideal hope it’s just precautionary and nothing serious. pic.twitter.com/bRJy7nFloV

— Ganpat Kaga (@Ganpatkaga_bmr)

KKR batters set up a statement victory, posting the team’s highest total of the season before the bowlers stepped on a ground that is not easy to defend on, but they got the job done, winning the match by 29 runs.