Matheesha Pathirana
About
Despite that start, Pathirana has grown into an important T20I bowler for Sri Lanka. In the shortest format, he has emerged as a genuine wicket-taking option, picking up around 40+ wickets in just over 25 matches at an average close to 21, highlighting his effectiveness as a strike bowler. His ability to deliver in crunch moments was evident during the series against Afghanistan in 2024, where he produced a match-winning spell of 4/24 and was named Player of the Match. Known for his skiddy pace, yorkers and awkward angles, Pathirana has often been used in the powerplay and death overs, where he has chipped in with crucial breakthroughs rather than just containing runs.
Despite a modest start to his international career, Pathirana quickly made a name for himself in franchise cricket in the Indian Premier League. He emerged as one of CSK’s most trusted bowlers during their title-winning campaign in 2023, picking up 19 wickets in 12 matches and excelling in high-pressure death overs with his yorkers and deceptive variations. His ability to execute under pressure made him a key figure in several close wins for the side. He followed it up with another impressive showing in IPL 2024, where despite an injury-curtailed season, he managed 13 wickets in just 6 matches, further showcasing his effectiveness as a strike bowler in the shortest format.
| Format | Debut | Last Played |
|---|---|---|
| T20 | vs Afghanistan, 2022-08-27, Dubai International Cricket Stadium | vs Australia, 2026-02-16, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| ODI | vs Afghanistan, 2023-06-02, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium | vs Pakistan, 2023-10-10, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium |
| IPL | vs Gujarat Titans, 2022-05-15, Wankhede Stadium | vs Gujarat Titans, 2025-05-25, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Stat | Test | ODI | T20 | IPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 0 | 12 | 28 | 32 |
| Innings | 0 | 7 | 11 | 0 |
| Runs | 0 | 11 | 19 | 0 |
| Balls | 0 | 35 | 37 | 0 |
| Highest | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| Average | 0 | 2.2 | 3.17 | 0 |
| SR | 0 | 31.43 | 51.36 | 0 |
| Not Out | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Fours | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Sixes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ducks | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 50s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 100s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 200s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 300s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 400s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pathirana set to join KKR squad after obtaining NOC
The 23-year-old Sri Lankan quick had been recovering from a calf injury
IPL 2026· 12 Apr 2026LSG may move on from Hasaranga, Pathirana's return in sight for KKR
There is still no clarity on Hasaranga's participation in IPL 2026 for LSG, but there are encouraging signs that Pathirana could turn out for KKR
IPL 2026· 6 Apr 2026KKR invested in Cameron Green for 'what he can do at his best', insists Nayar
Green had not bowled competitively for 12 months between September 2024 and October 2025 after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his back
IPL 2026· 1 Apr 2026SLC to hold fitness tests next week before issuing NOC
Pathirana, Hasaranga, Malinga and Thushara will undergo tests on Monday and Tuesday in Colombo
IPL 2026· 20 Mar 2026KKR not seeking replacements for Harshit Rana, Matheesha Pathirana
While the team believes there's no like-for-like option for Rana, they expect their 18cr Sri Lankan recruit to be ready to play at some stage in IPL 2026
IPL 2026· 16 Mar 2026Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of T20 World Cup; Dilshan Madushanka replaces him
The speedster hobbled off four deliveries into his spell against Australia and did not take any further part in the game
T20 World Cup, 2026· 18 Feb 2026