Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will receive a boost on Tuesday with Matheesha Pathirana all set to join the camp for the game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The three-time champions, led by Ajinkya Rahane, are yet to open their account in IPL 2026 and have just one point to their name, which came from the washed-out game against PBKS. KKR, who suffered multiple injury setbacks in the first four games due to the absence of several key players, will hope that they can turn around the fortunes at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday with the return of key players like Pathirana and Varun Chakravarthy.
While batting has not been a huge concern for KKR, barring the intent of some players like Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen, it is their bowling that has been a letdown. In the first four games of IPL 2026, KKR boasted of an inexperienced bowling attack for which they paid the price for – three losses.
Predicted KKR playing XI vs CSK
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Angkish Raghuvanshi (WK), Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Kartik Tyagi
Impact players: Matheesha Pathirana, Anukul Roy, Navdeep Saini, Tim Seifert
Pathirana returns, but as impact player
KKR’s Rs 18 crore buy received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket only on Sunday after he cleared the mandatory fitness test. He missed the first four games of IPL 2026 as he was yet to completely recover from an injury that he had sustained during the T20 World Cup 2026. Now, he is all set to return to action in what could be a big boost for KKR.
However, the team is likely to use him as an impact player. With Cameron Green being hardly used with the ball, it would be wise for KKR to sub him out when they are bowling and replace him with Pathirana. This would give the Sri Lankan star ample rest as he is yet to play full-fledged cricket after his injury.
However, that is unlikely to happen because even though Pathirana returns, KKR’s bowling attack is still weak, and hence they would need all the resources they have. Green has bowled just 2 overs so far in IPL 2026 and has managed to pick up just one wicket. Therefore, KKR could simply sub out Finn Allen when they are bowling.
In that case, Kartik Tyagi – who has picked up one wicket thus far – will partner with Vaibhav Arora to comprise of the pace unit along with Pathirana.
Varun Chakravarthy back
Chakravarthy missed the game against LSG, reportedly due to a finger injury. However, many also suggested that he was dropped due to his poor form. But, Varun’s familiarity with the surface at the M Chidambaram Stadium will come of good use for KKR in the contest against CSK. Additionally, Sunil Narine has no competent spin partner at the moment.
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