Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially announced the signing of uncapped Indian batter Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for the injured Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The franchise confirmed the development on Monday, May 24, 2026, through an official statement.
Injury Forces Pathirana Out
Matheesha Pathirana, who was a key part of KKR's bowling attack, suffered a hamstring injury during a training session and has been ruled out of the tournament. The Sri Lankan speedster had played five matches for KKR this season, picking up seven wickets at an economy rate of 8.50. His absence is a significant blow to the team's plans, especially in the death overs where his yorkers were proving effective.
Who is Luvnith Sisodia?
Luvnith Sisodia is a 25-year-old left-handed batter from Karnataka, who has been in impressive form in domestic cricket. He has represented Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring consistently in the middle order. Sisodia is also a handy wicketkeeper, which adds depth to KKR's squad. He was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) setup earlier but did not get a game. This will be his first IPL contract.
KKR's management expressed confidence in Sisodia's abilities, stating that his recent performances in domestic T20 cricket made him an ideal replacement. The franchise believes he can contribute with the bat and provide flexibility in the playing XI.
KKR's Current Standing
KKR are currently placed fourth in the IPL 2026 points table with six wins from 11 matches. They are fighting for a playoff spot and will need to win their remaining three league matches to secure qualification. The team has been heavily reliant on their top order, with Sunil Narine and Phil Salt providing explosive starts, while Andre Russell and Rinku Singh have been finishing games. The addition of Sisodia gives them a left-handed option in the middle order, which could be crucial against spin-heavy attacks.
KKR's next match is against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 27, 2026. Sisodia is expected to join the squad immediately and could be in contention for selection.
