Matheesha Pathirana (Pic credit: KKR) NEW DELHI: Struggling Kolkata Knight Riders received a timely boost on Sunday with the arrival of Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana, offering a ray of hope to a side languishing at the bottom of the points table. The franchise confirmed his arrival ahead of their crucial afternoon clash against Rajasthan Royals, a game that could prove pivotal in shaping their waning campaign.Pathirana, who was sidelined with a calf strain during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, recently cleared all fitness protocols set by Sri Lanka cricket before receiving the mandatory no-objection certificate. While his presence is a major boost to KKR’s depleted pace attack, the team management is unlikely to push him into the playing XI immediately, opting instead to assess his match fitness over a few sessions.
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Ajinkya Rahane press conference: On another defeat, Cameron Green and more KKR’s struggles deepen despite a late boostBought for a hefty Rs 18 crore in the auction, the 23-year-old slinger was always expected to miss the opening phase of the season due to injury. However, his late arrival comes at a time when KKR are desperate for answers after six matches without a win. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the side struggled to close out matches, often letting winning positions slip away, with their only point coming from a win against Punjab Kings.KKR’s woes were not limited to injuries. The tactical decisions under Rahane and head coach Abhishek Nayar were scrutinized, especially the behavior of Varun Chakravarthy, who was initially used in the overs and ran away with runs. The selection calls have also raised eyebrows, with Tim Seifert only recently given the game and Rachin Ravindra yet to feature despite a strong support team that includes Shane Watson, Tim Southee and Dwayne Bravo.They now face a formidable Rajasthan side that started strongly before stumbling against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag looking to bounce back from a rare batting failure, the contest remains even despite the contrasting form.For KKR, Pathirana’s arrival could be the turning point they have been waiting for. With a month-long break due to the Indian assembly elections looming, the urgency to secure their first win is greater than ever, especially with limited opportunities remaining at the Eden Gardens later in the season.
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