India, May 2 -- Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Tim Southee has kept the door open for Matheesha Pathirana's long-awaited IPL 2026 debut, but made it clear that the final call will depend on conditions and team balance ahead of their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Pathirana's availability has been one of KKR's major selection subplots this season. The Sri Lankan quick, bought for Rs.18 crore at the auction, missed the early part of the tournament after suffering a left calf strain during Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign. His delayed arrival left KKR without one of their biggest death-bowling investments at a time when their pace attack was already hit by injuries and availability issues.

Speaking at the pre-match press confere...