IPL: KKR signs Luvnith Sisodia as replacement for injured Matheesha Pathirana
Kolkata, May 24
Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for speedster Matheesha Pathirana for the rest of the 2026 Indian Premier League season.
Pathirana has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Sisodia, a wicketkeeper-batter from Karnataka, previously played for both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and KKR in the IPL. He has featured in 15 T20 matches, scoring 124 runs, and joins KKR for Rs 30 lakh.
"Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have picked Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for the injured Matheesha Pathirana for the remainder of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Matheesha Pathirana, a right-arm pacer, is ruled out of the season due to a hamstring injury. Sisodia, a wicketkeeper-batter, was previously a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and KKR in the IPL. Sisodia, who represents Karnataka in Domestic Cricket, has played 15 T20S and has 124 runs against his name from the same. He will join KKR for INR 30 Lakh," as per a Media Advisory.
Pathirana endured a frustrating, injury-hit IPL 2026 campaign. After being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 18 crore, the Sri Lankan pacer missed the opening phase of the tournament with a calf injury suffered during the T20 World Cup.
Just as he returned and made his much-awaited debut for KKR, his season was cut short again by a fresh hamstring injury.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Feel bad for Pathirana. He has so much potential but these injuries keep holding him back. As a KKR fan, I hope Sisodia gets a chance to show his batting skills. Karnataka players always bring that domestic cricket grit! 🇮🇳
Sisodia has 124 runs in 15 T20s? That's barely 8 runs per innings! KKR must be bringing him more as a net bowler or backup wicketkeeper. Meanwhile, young Indian pacers are sitting in domestic cricket waiting for chances. 🤷♂️
Pathirana's injury is a huge blow for KKR. His slingy action and yorkers were crucial in the death overs. But honestly, 18 crore for a player who's always injured is poor planning. KKR management needs to rethink their auction strategy. Hope Sisodia proves me wrong! 🙏
KKR is my team since 2012, but this season is going from bad to worse. First Russell got injured, now Pathirana. At least Sisodia is a Karnataka boy - our domestic players deserve more platforms like IPL. But replacing a pacer with a wicketkeeper? Strange logic from the team management. 🤔
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