KKR Pacer Harshit Rana Likely to Miss Majority of IPL 2026 Due to Knee Surgery

Kolkata. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler Harshit Rana is set to miss the majority of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to injury. Rana, who underwent knee surgery last February, is currently recovering.

He sustained the injury during the T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa. Since the medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not set a definite date for his return, the possibility of him missing the entire season has increased.

This is the second major setback in a row for Rana, who just won the Best International Debutant award at the BCCI Awards last Sunday. Previously, he had also missed India's victorious T20 World Cup due to injury.

Ligament trouble in his right knee appeared immediately after bowling just one over in the World Cup warm-up match. Rana's absence is considered a significant blow to KKR's bowling attack.

There have been other significant changes in the KKR squad this season as well. Due to strained geopolitical relations between India and Bangladesh, the team has released left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman following a directive from the BCCI. He has been replaced by Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. Muzarabani has also given up his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract for the IPL.

Options currently available in KKR's bowling unit include Matheesha Pathirana, Vaibhav Arora, Akash Deep, Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, and all-rounder Cameron Green. Pathirana was also ruled out of the World Cup due to a calf strain, but he is expected to be fit for the IPL.

KKR will play its first match on March 29 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. In subsequent matches, Kolkata will compete against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants at home.

ESPN Cricinfo