IPL 2026: KKR injury woes worsen, Akash Deep also ruled out

Kolkata Knight Riders’ fast-bowling cupboard has been stripped bare ahead of IPL 2026, with India seamer Akash Deep becoming the latest casualty after failing to report to the franchise’s pre-season camp that began in Kolkata on 18 March. Cricbuzz confirmed on Saturday that Akash Deep will play no part in the tournament, deepening the crisis that has already claimed fellow quick Harshit Rana, who was sidelined earlier after an injury picked up in a warm-up match before the recent T20 World Cup.

The Knight Riders are also set to be without Sri Lankan tearaway Matheesha Pathirana for the opening phase of the competition. Addressing the media at KKR’s pre-season press conference, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar revealed that Pathirana is currently under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cricket’s medical staff. “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,” Nayar said.

The franchise had earlier released Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman after a BCCI directive linked to escalating political tensions between India and Bangladesh, tensions that eventually saw Bangladesh withdraw from the T20 World Cup and Scotland take their place.

Despite the mounting setbacks, the three-time champions must quickly regroup. They open their campaign against Mumbai Indians on 29 March at the Wankhede Stadium, return home to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on 2 April at Eden Gardens, and then meet Punjab Kings on 6 April, again in Kolkata. Their fourth assignment comes against Lucknow Super Giants on 9 April at Eden Gardens.

With the season opener less than a fortnight away, KKR’s think-tank faces a race against time to cobble together a fit and firing pace attack.