SRH vs KKR Playing 11, Match Prediction IPL 2026 – Will Matheesha Pathirana play?
The Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on the Kolkata Knight Riders to keep their hopes intact for the playoffs as they face off in this high-stakes encounter.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad's rivalry with the Kolkata Knight Riders has grown into one of the most strategic battles in the IPL. This match goes above the points table, as SRH is placed at 3rd from the top, whereas KKR is placed in 8th position.
Also Read: SRH vs KKR Pitch Report IPL 2026 Match 45 – Batting or Bowling paradise at Today’s Venue?
Matheesha Pathirana set to play?
Matheesha Pathirana is probably the most popular KKR player heading into this Sunday's match. The Sri Lankan speedster, who was bought by Kolkata for a whopping INR 18 crore in the 2026 auction, had been battling with a repeated calf strain suffered during the T20 World Cup earlier in the year. While he rejoined the squad in mid-April after getting his NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket, KKR fans were eagerly anticipating his debut in the Purple and Gold.
Fortunately, the latest video from the Kolkata training sessions shows Pathirana in great rhythm. According to reports from the camp, he has resumed full bowling sessions, consistently hitting speeds above 145km/h with the same lethal precision that earned him his reputation. Furthermore, he has been observed performing high-intensity outfield drills with no visible discomfort, indicating that his rehabilitation is complete.
Also Read: Sunrisers Hyderabad VS Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2026 - Cricket Match Tips by Experts
KKR bowling coach Tim Southee previously stated that Pathirana is "fit and ready to go," but added that the final selection would be based on the conditions present at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Pathirana will be used strategically by management, most likely as an Impact Player, in order to maximize his effect in the death overs while minimizing his workload as he recovers to full match fitness.
SRH vs KKR Probable Playing XIs:
Sunrisers Hyderabad Probable Playing XIs
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(w), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins(c), Harsh Dubey, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga Impact Player: Aniket Verma, Liam Livingstone
Kolkata Knight Riders Probable Playing XIs
Ajinkya Rahane(c), Tim Seifert(w), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi Impact Player: Varun Chakravarthy, Manish Pandey/Matheesha Pathirana
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