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The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are facing a significant challenge ahead of IPL 2026 with their star death bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who was bought for a massive INR 18 crore, has been sidelined by a calf strain picked up during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. While Pathirana could still be available for parts of the IPL 2026 (with over a month until the tournament starts), his early-season fitness remains doubtful - especially amid KKR's other pace concerns, including Harshit Rana's recovery and Mustafizur Rahman's exit from the squad. Pathirana's unique slingshot action, raw pace and lethal yorkers at the death make him irreplaceable in the short term. In Pathirana's absence, KKR's bowling unit needs a high-impact overseas or available pacer who can deliver in the death overs with similar aggression, control, and wicket-taking ability. Here are four players who could step in as replacements for Matheesha Pathirana in the KKR squad for IPL 2026 season: