Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is keeping its fingers crossed over Matheesha Pathirana’s availability in IPL 2026. KKR assistant coach Shane Watson admitted that it was a “waiting game” as the Sri Lankan pacer continues his recovery from a left calf injury.

Bought for a whopping ₹18 crore at the auction, Pathirana was among KKR’s top priorities, but Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to clear him to travel to India and join the squad.

“With Pathirana, obviously it’s a waiting game at the moment. We are being guided by SLC and doing everything we can to get him over here as soon as possible,” Watson said here on Saturday, ahead of KKR’s season-opener against Mumbai Indians.

Watson stressed that the franchise was aligned with SLC in ensuring the slinger returns only when fully fit. “We have got the exact same interests as Sri Lankan cricket as well. We want Pathirana to be here, we want him to be fit. We certainly would never push him any earlier than he needs to,” he said.

“The last thing that we want is him playing the first game trying to come back too early and break down. He was one of our top priorities in the auction. We know when he is at his best, the incredible skill that he has got and the difference that he provides.”

For now, KKR hopes the clearance arrives soon — not just for match readiness but also to ease his integration into the squad. “We have got our fingers crossed hopefully sooner rather than later,” Watson added.