India, April 6 -- Matheesha Pathirana's IPL 2026 story may not be heading toward a complete washout after all. The Sri Lankan fast bowler has begun bowling in the nets again, giving Kolkata Knight Riders reason to believe their Rs.18 crore buy could still feature later this season.

That matters because KKR is no longer dealing with vague hope alone. Pathirana has been seen bowling at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, even if not yet at full pace, which is at least a visible step forward in a season where availability has been the real issue around him.

For KKR, this is the more important part of the wider Sri Lanka availability picture. Franchises can live with delayed returns if there is a credible path back, and Pathirana now appear...