2 min readMar 21, 2026 11:09 AM IST Joining a long list of pacers unavailable for the start of the Indian Premier League 2026, Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana and New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson are set to miss the initial phase of the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed on Friday that Pathirana, who was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a calf strain, is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will only be available from mid-April. Pathirana sustained a calf injury during Sri Lanka’s 2026 T20 World Cup game against Australia and was helped off the field, appearing in only three games for Sri Lanka in the tournament. ALSO READ | IPL: From Josh Hazlewood to Sam Curran, here is an injury list of overseas players “The latest update is that he is with the Sri Lankan cricket board for his rehab. Somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit,” Nayar said during KKR’s pre-season press conference. Pathirana was bought by KKR for INR 18 …