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Pathirana Out: KKR's Death Overs Woes Deepen
2 Apr
Summary
- Pathirana misses KKR clash due to hamstring injury and SLC fitness concerns.
- SRH known for power-hitting, KKR's bowling unit faces a stern test.
- Rahane becomes 11th cricketer to play 200 IPL matches.
Kolkata Knight Riders' pace attack is hampered by the unavailability of Matheesha Pathirana for their encounter with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pathirana, acquired for INR 18 crore, is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka Cricket has denied Pathirana a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for IPL 2026, citing concerns about his current fitness levels. Despite this, KKR anticipates receiving the necessary clearance by the second week of April.
In Pathirana's absence, Blessing Muzarabani is expected to feature, though his skillset differs from the death-over specialist KKR requires. The bowling unit faces a significant challenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad's potent power-hitting lineup.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl first, acknowledging the need for improvement in his team's bowling performance following a previous defeat. Rahane also marked his 200th IPL appearance in this match.
