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Matheesha Pathirana to miss early stages of IPL 2026, Harshit Rana’s participation also doubtful

admin — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:53:00 +0000

File photo of Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Matheesha Pathirana is expected to miss the early stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, while Harshit Rana’s availability in the tournament is also uncertain, according to ESPNcricinfo.

KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar has confirmed that Pathirana, who was snapped up for ₹18 cr in the IPL auction, will be available only from mid-April. The Sri Lankan pacer, who missed the 2026 T20 World Cup with a calf strain, is currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Speaking at KKR’s pre-season press conference, Abhishek Nayar stated that Pathirana is undergoing rehab with the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and is expected to be match fit around mid-April.

“The latest update that we know is he’s obviously with the Sri Lankan cricket board and they took out his rehab. And the latest communication that we’ve had is, hopefully, somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit. That’s what we know as of now,” he said.

KKR are also facing the loss of Harshit Rana, a key pace bowler for them in recent seasons, due to a knee injury. Rana sustained the injury during India’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa and missed the tournament.

Nayar described Rana’s absence as a significant loss, noting his importance to the team over recent seasons. He added that KKR is currently evaluating other bowlers with the leadership group to find a suitable replacement.

“Firstly, it is a big blow. Because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last couple of seasons, including the championship season. He’s grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it’s not easy to replace him. Having said that, over the last few days, we’ve looked at a few bowlers. We’re trying to evaluate, with the help of the leadership group, who fits in and who can do that role to the best of their prowess. We’re still evaluating that and haven’t made that decision yet, but hopefully we’ll identify someone soon who can make a difference to this squad,” the KKR head coach said.

KKR are set to kick their IPL 2026 campaign off against the Mumbai Indians on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The three-time champions will then face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 2 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, before facing off against last year’s finalists, Punjab Kings, on April 6, also at Eden Gardens.

In their fourth IPL match, KKR will face Lucknow Super Giants on April 9 at Eden Gardens.

Published – March 21, 2026 09:57 am IST

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IND vs NZ ODI series: India never began well, youngsters need to emulate Kohli’s mindset, says Gavaskar

admin — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:15:00 +0000

Virat Kohli in action during his splendid knock in the third and final ODI in Indore on January 18, 2026
| Photo Credit: PTI

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar says India’s failure to make good starts cost them the ODI series against New Zealand and the team’s batters should take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book to understand how an innings should be paced while chasing difficult targets.

India went down in the third and final ODI in Indore by 41 runs to lose their first ever 50-over home series against New Zealand, continuing the trend of recent underwhelming results. Kohli top-scored with a 108-ball 124 but could not get a stable partner to steer the challenging chase of 338.

“Unless Virat Kohli got substantial support, it was always going to be difficult, and he got very little of it. The real problem for India throughout the series has been the starts. As they say, well begun is half done,”Gavaskar said on ‘Amul Cricket Live’ on JioStar.

“India never began well, and that’s one of the main reasons they weren’t able to chase these big scores,” he pointed out.

India had lost half the side at 159, which severely dented their chances.

“…when you lose someone in good form like KL Rahul, and you have Nitish Kumar Reddy, who hadn’t really done justice to his ability until this innings of 53 runs and then Harshit Rana, someone you are never quite sure what you are going to get, it becomes an uphill climb. That’s exactly what India found,” Gavaskar explained.

The legendary former batter lauded Kohli for trying till the end and urged the others to emulate his mindset and consistency.

“The thing about him is that he’s not tied down to an image. A lot of batters and bowlers are constrained by how they’re perceived, and they feel they must live up to that image. Virat isn’t like that,” he said.

“He’s tied to the job at hand, and that job is to score runs. Sometimes, that means starting watchfully and then opening up. Sometimes, it means attacking early and then spreading the field and picking up ones and twos. He’s not governed by expectations of how he should play,” he added.

“That temperament is the key. He doesn’t think, ‘I’m expected to hit a six.’ He plays according to the situation. He never gives up. Even till the end, he was trying. For youngsters, that’s the biggest lesson, don’t live up to an image. Play the situation, and you’ll be far more consistent than you ever imagined.” On Harshit Rana’s lower-order half century that raised hopes of an unlikely win, Gavaskar said he was impressed by his ability to stay in the moment and not let past failures affect him mentally.

“It was a very good innings by Harshit Rana. He batted exactly like a lower-order batter should, without worry and without expectations…What impressed me was that Harshit didn’t get hassled by earlier failures, especially with someone like Virat Kohli at the other end,” he said.

Published – January 19, 2026 11:45 am IST

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IND vs SA second ODI: Rohit and Kohli’s support automatically improves performance, says Harshit Rana

admin — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:01:00 +0000

Harshit Rana addresses a press conference ahead of the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on December 2, 2025.
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu

South Africa was rocked early while chasing in the first ODI at Ranchi, largely due to a fiery opening spell from Harshit Rana.

The pacer, along with Arshdeep Singh, reduced the visitors to 11 for three inside the first five overs, laying a strong platform for tweaker Kuldeep Yadav to take control and seal the victory.

Addressing the media on the eve of the second ODI here, the lanky bowler reflected on his performance, the importance of staying focused on his work while shutting out outside noise, and the impact of having two stalwarts [Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli] in the dressing room — something he believes has significantly shaped his growth.

“Honestly, it’s a big thing not just for me but for the whole team. When players with so much experience are around you — whether on the field or in the dressing room — the environment becomes very nice. They always tell youngsters that we can do better. That kind of support automatically improves performance,” he said.

“The team is in a very happy and positive space. They always motivate us, whether things go well or not. They guide us on what the next step should be, especially when you are under pressure on the field,” added the 24-year-old.

On dealing with social-media pressures, Harshit was clear and honest: “I just focus on what I need to do on the ground — my hard work and my processes. What happens outside doesn’t matter. If I start listening to everything on social media, I won’t be able to play cricket. So I try to avoid it as much as possible.”

On bowling alongside Arshdeep and working with bowling coach Morne Morkel, Harshit said: “Morne has huge experience, and I talk to him often. Arshdeep helps me a lot in practice, too. They constantly guide me on what to do and how to improve.”

Published – December 02, 2025 08:31 pm IST

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Champions Trophy: Arshdeep with more variations likely starter ahead of Harshit

admin — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 21:07:00 +0000

Cricketer Arshdeep Singh. File photo
| Photo Credit: RAGU R

Harshit Rana has been the flavour of the season as far as India’s emerging crop of fast bowlers is concerned but one of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s finds is unlikely to start in India’s playing eleven in the Champions Trophy with Arshdeep Singh still considered way ahead in terms of talent and quality.

The Indian team management gave Harshit all three ODIs against England, and if one is absolutely fair to the burly 6-feet-2-inch tall Delhi speedster, he has not looked out of place.

While Arshdeep enjoys a better economy rate of 5.17 compared to Harshit’s 6.95 per over, it is the former’s ability to bring the ball back into the right-handers during the Powerplay overs that will tilt the scales in his favour in the tournament starting February 19.

Arshdeep, who also has only nine ODIs since he made his debut in a short ODI series in New Zealand in 2022, will be ahead on most counts when one looks at the parameters that would be taken into account based on the conditions available at the Dubai International Stadium.

“Harshit has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of reducing his weight and has become sharper in terms of speed. But if I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami’s partner, it has to be Arshdeep as he can swing the ball both ways and is a left-armer.

“I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep,” former national selector Devang Gandhi, who has also seen Rana from close quarters as Delhi Ranji coach, told PTI.

India will start with a clash against Bangladesh on February 20 here.

It is understood that Harshit started in all three games against England because the team management, currently helmed by Gautam Gambhir, wanted to check out if his protege could be considered as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement, and also this was the only series where Shami’s fitness could also have been tested in real terms.

Hence, Arshdeep was rested in the first two games and only got a chance when the think-tank decided to rest Shami, who had played back to back ODIs.

Former India opener WV Raman, one of the most respected coaches in the country, feels experience will be a key factor which should go in favour of the Punjab pacer.

“Arshdeep, due to his relative experience and the left arm being a different dimension, has an advantage. The Dubai track will be decent for the pacers,” Raman observed.

He also raised a key point about playing multi-nation event compared to bilateral series.

“A bit more experience always helps in ICC events, which is a different ball game from bilaterals. In ICC event, you will play different opposition every day and accordingly an experienced bowler changes his plans,” said Raman, who has also been India U-19 batting coach and head coach of the national women’s team.

Gandhi, on his part, also pointed out the options Arshdeep brings to the table in various phases of the match.

“Harshit hits deck and gets it to move a bit both ways after pitching along with those effective occasional heavy balls in the range of mid 140s. But when you have Arshdeep, he can swing the new ball and also use angles of the crease effectively when he comes round the wicket during death overs,” he explained.

An NCA Level 2 coach, who had watched the India U-19 team play in Dubai during the Asia Cup, had observed that there is at least five to six inches more bounce on offer at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“If you have that shade extra bounce for a swing bowler then playing Arshdeep is a no-brainer. Harshit is a good talent but if Shami is fit, then Arshdeep, for variation, experience and game awareness partners him,” the former NCA coach said.

Published – February 17, 2025 02:37 am IST

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Border-Gavaskar Trophy first Test in Perth: Debutant Harshit Rana press conference on his performance

admin — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 12:16:45 +0000

Harshit Rana of India celebrates taking the wicket of Nathan Lyon of Australia for 5 runs during day two of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Thursday night was a difficult one for Harshit Rana. Having been told about his imminent Test debut, the Delhi speedster tossed and turned as excitement and nerves equally kept him awake for a long time. But when he did turn up in the India whites on Friday in Perth at the Optus Stadium, it became the turn of the Aussie batters to have sleepless nights.

Travis Head, his first Test wicket, was the result of an incredible delivery that angled in and straightened just a shade to clip off-stump. “The idea was to attack the stumps and I got the wicket. In the team-meeting we had made some plans and I stuck to it,” Harshit told the media on Saturday (November 23, 2024). And as for an inkling about his debut? “I got to know on the previous day of the Test and I did cry after making a speech in the meeting,” he said.

The 22-year-old India pacer praised the leadership skills of Jasprit Bumrah and also the batting effort of Yashasvi Jaiswal and K.L. Rahul. “Once Bumrah bhai bowled like that, it also inspires you to do the same and you are bound to get wickets. Rahul and Jaiswal worked extremely hard on this pitch and it inspired all of us,” Harshit said.

Still in awe over his Test debut, Harshit quipped: “This is a big dream for me, to play for India. Six years ago, my father and I used to wake up early to watch cricket in Australia through television and now I am here, this is huge for me. The camp before this match really helped me adjust to the conditions.”

The first Test’s second day witnessed some drama on Saturday. And it centred on some banter between Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana, which the latter said was done with a sense of humour. “We are very good friends and in the IPL I play with him, so I have a very good bonding with him. This keeps happening, it is nothing major, we just exchanged a few words,” Harshit said.

Published – November 23, 2024 05:46 pm IST

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Border-Gavaskar trophy: Pacer Harshit Rana, all-rounder Nitish Reddy in Team India squad

admin — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 17:14:33 +0000

Harshit Rana has been selected for the India’s tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Delhi speedster Harshit Rana and Andhra seam bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy have earned maiden call-up in the 18-member Indian team led by Rohit Sharma for the upcoming five-Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

There is no Mohammed Shami in the squad while Kuldeep Yadav has been advised long term rehabilitation for his groin injury.

From the squad picked for New Zealand series, Axar Patel has been dropped and Washington Sundar with 11 wickets in his kitty so far in the ongoing Test in Pune.

For the South Africa T20I series, Karnataka seamer Vyshak Vijaykumar and Punjab batter Ramandeep Singh have been included while express pacer Mayank Yadav has again got injured. He is at Centre of Excellence for recuperation.

India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed.

The schedule: November 22 to 26 (Perth); December 6 to 10 (Adelaide); December 14 to 18 (Brisbane); December 26 to 30 (Melbourne); January 3 to 7 (Sydney).

India’s squad for 4 T20Is against South Africa:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.

The schedule: November 8 (Durban), 10 (Gqeberha), 13 (Centurion) and 15 (Johannesburg).

Published – October 25, 2024 10:44 pm IST

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IPL 2024 | KKR’s Harshit Rana fined 60% of match fee for breaching IPL Code of Conduct

admin — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 21:37:00 +0000

KKR’s Harshit Rana celebrates after winning the IPL 2024 T20 cricket match against SRH at the Eden Gardens Stadium, in Kolkata, on March 23, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana on Sunday was fined 60% of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his IPL debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens.

IPL released a statement to confirm that the Rana has been fined 60% of his match fees.

“Kolkata Knight Riders bowler Harshit Rana has been fined a total of 60 percent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team’s Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 23,” IPL stated.

The statement added that the 22-year-old has committed a “two Level 1 offences under Article 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct”.

“Rana committed two Level 1 offences under Article 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. He was fined 10 percent and 50 percent of his match fees for the two respective offences. Rana admitted to the two offences and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding,” it added.

Rana picked up three wickets in his four-over spell and gifted only 33 runs. The KKR bowler displayed a stunning performance in the final over of the second inning and helped the Kolkata-based franchise clinch a win.

Recapping the match, put to bat first by SRH, KKR was reduced to 51/4 in 7.3 overs. However, a half-century by Phil Salt (54 in 40 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and an explosive knock by Ramandeep Singh (35 in 17 balls, with a four and four sixes) kept team’s run rate just fine, but still they were struggling at 119/6 in 13.5 overs.

An explosive 67-run partnership followed between Andre Rusell (64* in 25 balls, with three fours and seven sixes) and Rinku Singh (23 in 15 balls, with three fours), powering KKR to 208/7 in 20 overs.

In the chase of 209 runs, SRH started off well with a 60-run opening stand between Mayank Agarwal (32 in 21 balls with four boundaries and a six) and Abhishek Sharma (32 in 19 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes). The team lost their way and was soon 145/5 in 16.5 overs.

However, Heinrich Klaasen (63 in 29 balls with eight sixes) and Shahbaz Ahmed (16 in five balls, with a four and two sixes) unreleased a barrage of sixes towards the end. 13 runs were needed in final over, but Harshit Rana (3/33) held his nerves, taking two wickets and defending the remaining runs.

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