Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: Check out LSG final squad; batters, bowlers, keepers and more

Punjab Kings (PBKS) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: Check out PBKS final squad; batters, bowlers, keepers and more

Several IPL franchises are concerned about the availability of their overseas stars, who could miss parts of the 2026 season or even the entire tournament due to various reasons. Mitchell Starc, Delhi Capitals’ pace spearhead, is also expected to miss the initial phase of the season, as Cricket Australia manages his workload. DC head coach Hemang Badani said the team is still unsure about Starc’s availability and is awaiting official clearance (NOC) from Cricket Australia before confirming anything.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We are waiting for an NOC from Cricket Australia, once we get that, then only we can say anything about Starc’s availability," Badani told reporters in New Delhi on Monday.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-indian-captain-ms-dhoni-honours-t20-world-cup-winners-sanju-samson-shivam-dube-at-csk-event-1774253159771">Former Indian captain MS Dhoni honours T20 World Cup winners Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube at CSK event</a>&nbsp;Team director Venugopal Rao added that Starc’s fitness is also a concern, but they expect him to join once the clearance comes.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Starc will come, we just waiting for the NOC because his fitness is the concern. We are just waiting for it," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Th 36-year-old had a good last season, taking 14 wickets in 11 matches and was retained by the franchise after being bought for INR 11.75 crore in the 2025 auction. Delhi will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fide-candidates-indian-grandmaster-koneru-humpy-withdraws-citing-personal-safety-and-well-being-1774244894966">India's Koneru Humpy withdraws from FIDE Candidates amid US-Israel-Iran war</a>&nbsp;Starc is not the only Australian player facing availability concerns, as Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) are also expected to miss a few early matches. Cummins, who leads SRH, will be replaced as captain by Ishan Kishan during his absence. Meanwhile, Jack Edwards (SRH) and Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings) are set to miss the entire season due to injuries.

Delhi Capitals (DC) will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1. 

Several IPL franchises are concerned about the availability of their overseas stars, who could miss parts of the 2026 season or even the entire tournament due to various reasons. Mitchell Starc, Delhi Capitals’ pace spearhead, is also expected to miss the initial phase of the season, as Cricket Australia manages his workload. DC head coach Hemang Badani said the team is still unsure about Starc’s availability and is awaiting official clearance (NOC) from Cricket Australia before confirming anything. “We are waiting for an NOC from Cricket Australia, once we get that, then only we can say anything about Starc’s availability," Badani told reporters in New Delhi on Monday. Also Read - Former Indian captain MS Dhoni honours T20 World Cup winners Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube at CSK event Team director Venugopal Rao added that Starc’s fitness is also a concern, but they expect him to join once the clearance comes. “Starc will come, we just waiting for the NOC because his fitness is the concern. We are just waiting for it," he said. Th 36-year-old had a good last season, taking 14 wickets in 11 matches and was retained by the franchise after being bought for INR 11.75 crore in the 2025 auction. Delhi will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1. Also Read - India's Koneru Humpy withdraws from FIDE Candidates amid US-Israel-Iran war Starc is not the only Australian player facing availability concerns, as Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) are also expected to miss a few early matches. Cummins, who leads SRH, will be replaced as captain by Ishan Kishan during his absence. Meanwhile, Jack Edwards (SRH) and Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings) are set to miss the entire season due to injuries.

Delhi Capitals (DC) will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1.&nbsp;

'Waiting for NOC from CA': Delhi Capitals on Mitchell Starc’s IPL 2026 availability

Virat Kohli leads IPL charts in most runs (8,661), most hundreds (8), and most runs in one season (973), while Dhoni has most death-over runs (2,936) and Gayle has most sixes (357), Phil Salt has highest strike rate (175.7), Dhawan has most powerplay runs (3,391).

Virat Kohli leads IPL charts in most runs (8,661), most hundreds (8), and most runs in one season (973), while Dhoni has most death-over runs (2,936) and Gayle has most sixes (357), Phil Salt has highest strike rate (175.7), Dhawan has most powerplay runs (3,391).

IPL 2026 Stats: From Dhoni to Kohli - List of Best Batters of All Time

From Virat Kohli to MS Dhoni here is a look at five batters with most runs for single IPL franchise. The illustrious list also features the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and AB de Villiers. 

From Virat Kohli to MS Dhoni here is a look at five batters with most runs for single IPL franchise. The illustrious list also features the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and AB de Villiers.&nbsp;

From Virat Kohli to MS Dhoni, 5 batters with most runs for single IPL franchise

From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli here is a look at five Indian batters with most fifties in IPL. The honourbale list also features the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Suresh Raina. 

From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli&nbsp;here is a look at five Indian batters with most fifties in IPL. The honourbale list also features the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Suresh Raina.&nbsp;

From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most fifties in IPL

From Vaibhav Suryavanshi to Priyansh Arya here is a look at five fastest IPL hundreds by Indian batters. The tempting list also consists of names like Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. 

From Vaibhav Suryavanshi to Priyansh Arya here is a look at five fastest IPL hundreds by Indian batters. The tempting list also consists of names like Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Sharma and Mayank Agarwal.&nbsp;

From Vaibhav Suryavanshi to Priyansh Arya, 5 fastest IPL hundreds by Indian batters

&nbsp;Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka is all set to break his contract with Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Lahore Qalandars and join Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals. After Sam Curran’s injury ruled him out of the entire IPL 2026 season, Shanaka has emerged as a perfect fit for the 2008 champions. As per media reports, the move is now underway with exit formalities with Qalandars already underway. It is also learnt that Daniel Sams will join the Qalandars as Shanaka’s replacement.<h2>Shanaka to join Rajasthan Royals</h2>Curran, who was part of a pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and RR in which CSK acquired Sanju Samson and RR also got Ravindra Jadeja, has a groin issue, which has ruled him out of the tournament.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Shanaka, a lower-order batter and medium-pace bowler who led Sri Lanka at the recent T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, comes in with good batting form: he hit a 20-ball 50 against Oman and 76 not out in 31 balls against Pakistan. He has played one season of the IPL in the past, in 2023, when he played three games for the Gujarat Titans (GT) with unspectacular returns.&nbsp;He becomes the second player to walk away from his PSL team to join an IPL franchise in the past few days after Blessing Muzarabani opted out of his deal with Islamabad United once Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) reached out to him to be a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who the team had to release on instructions from the BCCI because of geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;For RR, Shanaka joins a strong list of overseas players, the others being Shimron Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka and Adam Milne.&nbsp;RR, who finished one off the bottom last season, begin their IPL 2026 campaign next Monday, March 30, in Guwahati against CSK.

Sam Curran, who was part of a pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and RR in which CSK acquired Sanju Samson and RR also got Ravindra Jadeja, has a groin issue, which has ruled him out of the tournament.

Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka is all set to break his contract with Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Lahore Qalandars and join Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals. After Sam Curran’s injury ruled him out of the entire IPL 2026 season, Shanaka has emerged as a perfect fit for the 2008 champions. As per media reports, the move is now underway with exit formalities with Qalandars already underway. It is also learnt that Daniel Sams will join the Qalandars as Shanaka’s replacement. Shanaka to join Rajasthan Royals Curran, who was part of a pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and RR in which CSK acquired Sanju Samson and RR also got Ravindra Jadeja, has a groin issue, which has ruled him out of the tournament. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Shanaka, a lower-order batter and medium-pace bowler who led Sri Lanka at the recent T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, comes in with good batting form: he hit a 20-ball 50 against Oman and 76 not out in 31 balls against Pakistan. He has played one season of the IPL in the past, in 2023, when he played three games for the Gujarat Titans (GT) with unspectacular returns. He becomes the second player to walk away from his PSL team to join an IPL franchise in the past few days after Blessing Muzarabani opted out of his deal with Islamabad United once Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) reached out to him to be a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who the team had to release on instructions from the BCCI because of geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds For RR, Shanaka joins a strong list of overseas players, the others being Shimron Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka and Adam Milne. RR, who finished one off the bottom last season, begin their IPL 2026 campaign next Monday, March 30, in Guwahati against CSK.

Sam Curran, who was part of a pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and RR in which CSK acquired Sanju Samson and RR also got Ravindra Jadeja, has a groin issue, which has ruled him out of the tournament.

IPL 2026: Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka to replace injured Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals - Report

Former Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli cannot stop making headlines as less than a week remains for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) to start. On Sunday, the former RCB skipper was in the spotlight as he laughed off one of the rumours that was making the rounds in the media. Virat’s reaction left everyone stunned while also dismissing any such rumour that surrounds the veteran batter.<h2>Virat dismisses rumours</h2>In a cryptic Instagram story, Virat shared a laughing emoji, along with a claim stating that Virat had asked for a chartered flight to RCB management. This chartered flight would be arranged from India to London if there is a gap of three days between two IPL matches. The claim further added that Virat would return to India a day before the IPL match and rejoin the squad. However, a laughing emoji on the story did suggest that no such claims were true and the 2025 IPL winner would stay in India with the RCB squad.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;It is worth noting that Virat stays in London with his family these days, away from the media spotlight. He, along with wife Anushka and their two kids, have been traveling across the English capital and India whenever they have sporting commitments, but have largely opted to stay away from the media.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;The former India captain will return to competitive action on Saturday (Mar 28) when RCB take on 2016 champions SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in the curtain-raiser clash. Virat has joined the RCB squad for the pre-season and will be available full-time. Virat was last in competitive action in January when the Men in Blue faced New Zealand.

On Sunday, the former RCB skipper was in the spotlight as he laughed off one of the rumours that was making the rounds in the media. Virat’s reaction left everyone stunned while also dismissing any such rumour that surrounds the veteran batter.

Former Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli cannot stop making headlines as less than a week remains for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) to start. On Sunday, the former RCB skipper was in the spotlight as he laughed off one of the rumours that was making the rounds in the media. Virat’s reaction left everyone stunned while also dismissing any such rumour that surrounds the veteran batter. Virat dismisses rumours In a cryptic Instagram story, Virat shared a laughing emoji, along with a claim stating that Virat had asked for a chartered flight to RCB management. This chartered flight would be arranged from India to London if there is a gap of three days between two IPL matches. The claim further added that Virat would return to India a day before the IPL match and rejoin the squad. However, a laughing emoji on the story did suggest that no such claims were true and the 2025 IPL winner would stay in India with the RCB squad. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli It is worth noting that Virat stays in London with his family these days, away from the media spotlight. He, along with wife Anushka and their two kids, have been traveling across the English capital and India whenever they have sporting commitments, but have largely opted to stay away from the media. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds The former India captain will return to competitive action on Saturday (Mar 28) when RCB take on 2016 champions SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in the curtain-raiser clash. Virat has joined the RCB squad for the pre-season and will be available full-time. Virat was last in competitive action in January when the Men in Blue faced New Zealand.

On Sunday, the former RCB skipper was in the spotlight as he laughed off one of the rumours that was making the rounds in the media. Virat’s reaction left everyone stunned while also dismissing any such rumour that surrounds the veteran batter.

Virat Kohli to get chartered flight to London during IPL 2026? Here's how former RCB captain reacted

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: Check out SRH final squad; batters, bowlers, keepers and more

Rajasthan Royals (RR) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: Check out RR final squad; batters, bowlers, keepers and more

During a practice match of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday (Mar 21), 26-year-old spinner Zeeshan Ansari had a tense moment with team captain Ishan Kishan. The incident happened in the eighth over when Kishan and Liam Livingstone were batting in full flow. Kishan scored 20 runs off Ansari in one over, but the spinner later got him out. Even though practice matches are usually calm, Ansari reacted angrily after taking the wicket and signaled Kishan to leave the field and the two exchanged a few words. Kishan, however, did not take it seriously and was seen laughing as he walked back.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is also some speculation on social media about tension in the team, although it appeared to be just a reaction in the heat of the moment.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-set-to-return-to-belfast-after-19-years-as-ireland-t20i-series-schedule-released-1774068077917">India set to return to Belfast after 19 years as Ireland T20I series schedule released</a><h2>Watch the video below</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Send off to Ishan Kishan 🤯 During the intra squad match today, Zeeshan Ansari, a bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad, was seen giving a send off to his own captain Ishan Kishan after dismissing him. The team atmosphere doesn’t seem to be very good. <a href="https://t.co/3b75QtTh3F">pic.twitter.com/3b75QtTh3F</a>&mdash; Stubbsy  (@spideypant_) <a href="https://twitter.com/spideypant_/status/2035409442519523630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

During the previous Indian Premier League season, Ansari claimed six wickets in ten matches and has recently been in top form, taking 21 wickets in his last eight competitive outings. Meanwhile, Kishan is leading the team for the first few games because regular captain Pat Cummins is injured and expected to return in mid-April.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lebron-james-breaks-another-record-in-los-angeles-lakers-win-over-orlando-magic-1774150793454">LeBron James breaks another record in Los Angeles Lakers win over Orlando Magic</a>&nbsp;Interestingly, this happened shortly after Jharkhand assistant coach Sunny Gupta spoke about Kishan’s leadership, praising him as more serious than people think and highlighting his focus on maintaining a positive team environment while maintaining discipline and responsibility.&nbsp;Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

During a practice match of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday (Mar 21), 26-year-old spinner Zeeshan Ansari had a tense moment with team captain Ishan Kishan. The incident happened in the eighth over when Kishan and Liam Livingstone were batting in full flow. Kishan scored 20 runs off Ansari in one over, but the spinner later got him out. Even though practice matches are usually calm, Ansari reacted angrily after taking the wicket and signaled Kishan to leave the field and the two exchanged a few words. Kishan, however, did not take it seriously and was seen laughing as he walked back. There is also some speculation on social media about tension in the team, although it appeared to be just a reaction in the heat of the moment. Also Read - India set to return to Belfast after 19 years as Ireland T20I series schedule released Watch the video below

Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Watch: Ishan Kishan receives fiery send-off from teammate in SRH practice match

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: Check out RCB final squad; batters, bowlers, keepers and more

From Virat Kohli to KL Rahul here is a look at five batters fastest to 5000 IPL runs. The illustrious list also features iconic names like David Warner, AB de Villiers and Shikhar Dhawan. 

From Virat Kohli to KL Rahul here is a look at five batters fastest to 5000 IPL runs. The illustrious list also features iconic names like David Warner, AB de Villiers and Shikhar Dhawan.&nbsp;

From Virat Kohli to KL Rahul, 5 batters fastest to 5000 IPL runs

From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson here is a look at five highest individual score in a lost chase in IPL history. The illustrious list also features the likes of Yusuf Pathan, KL Rahul and Shaun Marsh. 

From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson here is a look at five highest individual score in a lost chase in IPL history. The illustrious list also features the likes of Yusuf Pathan, KL Rahul and Shaun Marsh.&nbsp;

From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been dealt a huge blow a week before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season after star bowler Akash Deep was ruled out on Saturday (Mar 21). The Indian pacer who made headlines during India's tour of England last year in the red-ball format will miss the entire season. The injury crisis comes after Harshit Rana and new signing Matheesha Pathirana are also struggling with injuries.<h2>Akash Deep ruled out</h2>A top official from Kolkata Knight Riders has confirmed the development to Cricbuzz. "Unfortunately, he is out of the IPL, ruled out for the season," the KKR official said. The 29-year-old Bengal pacer was picked by the franchise at his base price of INR 1 crore at last year's mini-auction in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;Akash Deep was not part of the franchise's preparatory camp, having instead been at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for rehabilitation. His absence adds to a growing list of concerns in KKR's fast-bowling department.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Harshit Rana is all but ruled out, while Matheesha Pathirana is expected to miss parts of the first half of the tournament, leaving the side short on both availability and experience. KKR had already made a change in the lead-up to the season, bringing in Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, but beyond that, their fast-bowling resources now appear thin.&nbsp;Their Indian seam options currently comprise Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi, with Cameron Green providing a seam-bowling allrounder option. The franchise is also conducting trials for an Indian fast bowler, with a replacement for Rana a priority as they look to rebuild a depleted pace attack ahead of the new season.

Akash Deep who made headlines during India tour of England last year in the red-ball format will miss the entire season. The injury crisis comes after Harshit Rana and new signing Matheesha Pathirana are also struggling with injuries.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been dealt a huge blow a week before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season after star bowler Akash Deep was ruled out on Saturday (Mar 21). The Indian pacer who made headlines during India's tour of England last year in the red-ball format will miss the entire season. The injury crisis comes after Harshit Rana and new signing Matheesha Pathirana are also struggling with injuries. Akash Deep ruled out A top official from Kolkata Knight Riders has confirmed the development to Cricbuzz. "Unfortunately, he is out of the IPL, ruled out for the season," the KKR official said. The 29-year-old Bengal pacer was picked by the franchise at his base price of INR 1 crore at last year's mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds Akash Deep was not part of the franchise's preparatory camp, having instead been at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for rehabilitation. His absence adds to a growing list of concerns in KKR's fast-bowling department. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Harshit Rana is all but ruled out, while Matheesha Pathirana is expected to miss parts of the first half of the tournament, leaving the side short on both availability and experience. KKR had already made a change in the lead-up to the season, bringing in Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, but beyond that, their fast-bowling resources now appear thin. Their Indian seam options currently comprise Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi, with Cameron Green providing a seam-bowling allrounder option. The franchise is also conducting trials for an Indian fast bowler, with a replacement for Rana a priority as they look to rebuild a depleted pace attack ahead of the new season.

Akash Deep who made headlines during India's tour of England last year in the red-ball format will miss the entire season. The injury crisis comes after Harshit Rana and new signing Matheesha Pathirana are also struggling with injuries.

After Harshit Rana KKR dealt another injury blow, Akash Deep ruled out of IPL 2026

From KL Rahul to Rishabh Pant here is a look at five players with most runs without winning an IPL title. The list of players also consists of Chris Gayle, Sanju Samson and AB de Villiers as teams prepare for the latest round of retentions. 

From KL Rahul to Rishabh Pant here is a look at five players with most runs without winning an IPL title. The list of players also consists of Chris Gayle, Sanju Samson and AB de Villiers as teams prepare for the latest round of retentions.&nbsp;

From KL Rahul to Rishabh Pant, 5 players with most runs without winning an IPL title

Former India batter Robin Uthappa has hinted that the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season will be MS Dhoni’s last as he enters the twilight of his career. Dhoni, who turns 45 in July, confirmed availability for the upcoming season and will feature for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they bid for a record sixth title. According to Uthappa, the upcoming season will be his last with the Yellow Army as they look to give him a happy sendoff.<h2>MS Dhoni to play last IPL?</h2>“I don't think CSK should hand over the leadership duties to Sanju Samson. You have to give Ruturaj Gaikwad time to settle as captain. He has been leading the team since 2024. No matter what people say, he is coming out of the shadow of MS Dhoni. You want him to come out completely and stand in his own light. You want to see what he can produce,” Uthappa said.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;“You want him to lead the team when MS is not playing and stand on his own, without that overwhelming feeling of always being under that energy. So I think you can see Dhoni being a little more hands-off. IPL 2026 is likely to be his last year in the yellow jersey. I see him playing more of a mentor-cum-player role this year. I don't see him batting at number seven.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;“I see him batting at number eight. Knowing that he is on his way out, he wants to wean himself out. I think he will do that. Only then will we see the true potential of Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain. Give him a few years. If it doesn't work, you always have Sanju Samson in the team to handle the captaincy duties,” the 2007 T20 World Cup winner added.&nbsp;Under Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK won five IPL titles and will bid for a sixth one under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy. They will also have Sanju Samson in their ranks, who was traded from the Rajasthan Royals in November.&nbsp;CSK will kick start their IPL 2026 season on Monday (Mar 30) when they face Rajasthan Royals at their adopted home at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

MS Dhoni, who turns 45 in July, confirmed availability for the upcoming season and will feature for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they bid for a record sixth title.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa has hinted that the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season will be MS Dhoni’s last as he enters the twilight of his career. Dhoni, who turns 45 in July, confirmed availability for the upcoming season and will feature for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they bid for a record sixth title. According to Uthappa, the upcoming season will be his last with the Yellow Army as they look to give him a happy sendoff. MS Dhoni to play last IPL? “I don't think CSK should hand over the leadership duties to Sanju Samson. You have to give Ruturaj Gaikwad time to settle as captain. He has been leading the team since 2024. No matter what people say, he is coming out of the shadow of MS Dhoni. You want him to come out completely and stand in his own light. You want to see what he can produce,” Uthappa said. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli “You want him to lead the team when MS is not playing and stand on his own, without that overwhelming feeling of always being under that energy. So I think you can see Dhoni being a little more hands-off. IPL 2026 is likely to be his last year in the yellow jersey. I see him playing more of a mentor-cum-player role this year. I don't see him batting at number seven. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds “I see him batting at number eight. Knowing that he is on his way out, he wants to wean himself out. I think he will do that. Only then will we see the true potential of Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain. Give him a few years. If it doesn't work, you always have Sanju Samson in the team to handle the captaincy duties,” the 2007 T20 World Cup winner added. Under Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK won five IPL titles and will bid for a sixth one under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy. They will also have Sanju Samson in their ranks, who was traded from the Rajasthan Royals in November. CSK will kick start their IPL 2026 season on Monday (Mar 30) when they face Rajasthan Royals at their adopted home at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

MS Dhoni, who turns 45 in July, confirmed availability for the upcoming season and will feature for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they bid for a record sixth title.

IPL 2026: MS Dhoni to bid adieu in upcoming season? Here's what former India batter said

Shubman Gill will have a point to prove as the Gujarat Titans prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season, which starts on Saturday (Mar 28). Gill, India’s captain in ODI and Tests, was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad in January and will have a point to prove during IPL 2026. Former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara highlighted the issue and why Gill would be more than prepared for the tournament, where he captains the the Gujarat Titans.<h2>Gill to prove a point in IPL 2026</h2>Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’, JioStar expert Pujara discussed how the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup snub could motivate Gill in IPL 2026. The Indian batter was instrumental in India’s Asia Cup success in September, but was sensationally omitted from the World Cup squad, with Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan instead coming into the frame.&nbsp;“The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India’s T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain,” Pujara said while answering about Gill.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;“He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team. There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try and accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” added Pujara.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;GT will start their IPL 2026 campaign under Shubman Gill’s captaincy on Mar 31 when they face Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. Their first home match will be on April 4 when they face the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Shubman Gill was instrumental in India’s Asia Cup success in September, but was sensationally omitted from the World Cup squad, with Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan instead coming into the frame.

Shubman Gill will have a point to prove as the Gujarat Titans prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season, which starts on Saturday (Mar 28). Gill, India’s captain in ODI and Tests, was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad in January and will have a point to prove during IPL 2026. Former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara highlighted the issue and why Gill would be more than prepared for the tournament, where he captains the the Gujarat Titans. Gill to prove a point in IPL 2026 Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’, JioStar expert Pujara discussed how the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup snub could motivate Gill in IPL 2026. The Indian batter was instrumental in India’s Asia Cup success in September, but was sensationally omitted from the World Cup squad, with Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan instead coming into the frame. “The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India’s T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain,” Pujara said while answering about Gill. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds “He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team. There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try and accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” added Pujara. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli GT will start their IPL 2026 campaign under Shubman Gill’s captaincy on Mar 31 when they face Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. Their first home match will be on April 4 when they face the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Shubman Gill was instrumental in India’s Asia Cup success in September, but was sensationally omitted from the World Cup squad, with Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan instead coming into the frame.

IPL 2026: Cheteshwar Pujara backs Shubman Gill to bounce back after T20 World Cup snub

Mumbai Indians (MI) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

Mumbai Indians (MI) look to have one of the strongest squads going into the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. Here's who all made it to their final 25 for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: Check out MI final squad; batters, bowlers, keepers and more

From Mitchell Starc to Matheesha Pathirana, here's a look at the five key players missing early IPL 2026 matches. This list also includes Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Lockie Ferguson

From Mitchell Starc to Matheesha Pathirana, here's a look at the five key players missing early IPL 2026 matches. This list also includes Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Lockie Ferguson.

From Mitchell Starc to Matheesha Pathirana, 5 key players missing early IPL 2026 matches

India batting stalwart Virat Kohli warned his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammates that IPL 2026 season will be more difficult because, they are the current champions, so other teams will try harder to beat them. During the team’s first practice session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli spoke to a small group of mostly Indian players and asked them to give their full effort in the coming weeks. For many years, RCB was often seen as a “banter franchise,” struggling to win a title despite having top players for 17 years. However, coach Andy Flower and director of cricket Mo Bobat changed the team’s approach and focused on building a balanced team with consistent performers instead of only relying on big stars. Their strategy paid off in 2025, when RCB claimed their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-took-a-lot-of-effort-shreyas-iyer-on-injury-recovery-ahead-of-ipl-2026-1774064241958">‘Took a lot of effort….’: Shreyas Iyer on injury recovery ahead of IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;Kohli said the team worked very hard over the past few seasons to achieve success, but now the challenge will be bigger because other teams will come prepared. He told his teammates not to waste any time and to stay focused, giving more than their best for the next two and a half months. He also added that the team looks excited and ready for the challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We worked really hard over the last two to three seasons to achieve what we did last year, and it’s only going to get tougher because the other teams are going to come hard at us," Kohli said.&nbsp;“We don’t waste these days. We stay ahead. So, switch on now. Let’s not waste even a minute of every session we are a part of. We must give our 120% for these two and a half months. I can see from everyone’s faces that we are excited enough to be challengers," he added.&nbsp;Coach Andy Flower kicked off the session by greeting the new players and said that combining them with experienced ones like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar will help build a solid team. Flower also mentioned that having a star on their jersey as champions is a proud moment, but last season is over and the team must now focus on winning again this year.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/who-was-saleh-mohammadi-young-wrestling-champion-executed-in-iran-for-anti-national-activities-1774002839253">Who was Saleh Mohammadi? Young wrestling champion executed in Iran</a>&nbsp;“We had an interesting auction. I think we’ve improved our squad, to be quite frank," Flower said in the video. “We brought in some great new additions. So, integrating those new players into the RCB way with some of the established players, obviously led by Virat and Rajat, is an exciting part of building a new team together. If there is one difference this year, we have actually got a star on our shirts. So that is a very proud feeling to have for all RCBians. One thing that I would emphasise, though, is that the season’s gone and now we have a new challenge ahead of us, and it’s a really exciting challenge. We’re here to win this year’s IPL."

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

India batting stalwart Virat Kohli warned his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammates that IPL 2026 season will be more difficult because, they are the current champions, so other teams will try harder to beat them. During the team’s first practice session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli spoke to a small group of mostly Indian players and asked them to give their full effort in the coming weeks. For many years, RCB was often seen as a “banter franchise,” struggling to win a title despite having top players for 17 years. However, coach Andy Flower and director of cricket Mo Bobat changed the team’s approach and focused on building a balanced team with consistent performers instead of only relying on big stars. Their strategy paid off in 2025, when RCB claimed their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. Also Read - ‘Took a lot of effort….’: Shreyas Iyer on injury recovery ahead of IPL 2026 Kohli said the team worked very hard over the past few seasons to achieve success, but now the challenge will be bigger because other teams will come prepared. He told his teammates not to waste any time and to stay focused, giving more than their best for the next two and a half months. He also added that the team looks excited and ready for the challenge. “We worked really hard over the last two to three seasons to achieve what we did last year, and it’s only going to get tougher because the other teams are going to come hard at us," Kohli said. “We don’t waste these days. We stay ahead. So, switch on now. Let’s not waste even a minute of every session we are a part of. We must give our 120% for these two and a half months. I can see from everyone’s faces that we are excited enough to be challengers," he added. Coach Andy Flower kicked off the session by greeting the new players and said that combining them with experienced ones like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar will help build a solid team. Flower also mentioned that having a star on their jersey as champions is a proud moment, but last season is over and the team must now focus on winning again this year. Also Read - Who was Saleh Mohammadi? Young wrestling champion executed in Iran “We had an interesting auction. I think we’ve improved our squad, to be quite frank," Flower said in the video. “We brought in some great new additions. So, integrating those new players into the RCB way with some of the established players, obviously led by Virat and Rajat, is an exciting part of building a new team together. If there is one difference this year, we have actually got a star on our shirts. So that is a very proud feeling to have for all RCBians. One thing that I would emphasise, though, is that the season’s gone and now we have a new challenge ahead of us, and it’s a really exciting challenge. We’re here to win this year’s IPL."

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Mar 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

‘Teams will come hard at us’: Virat Kohli warns RCB teammates ahead of IPL 2026

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer opened up about his recovery struggle after suffering a spleen injury in the third ODI of India’s Australia tour, which caused him to lose nearly seven kilograms and sidelined him for months. At one point, he was even admitted to the ICU in a Sydney hospital before being discharged. Speaking at an event in Mohali ahead of IPL 2026, Iyer said returning after such an injury was not easy and explained that although he regained fitness in about two months, but putting the lost weight back on required a lot of effort. He added that he enjoys challenges and felt proud to overcome this phase and return to playing, including representing India again in a recent series.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s always challenging to come back after an injury. I had lost around seven kg due to the injury, it was a severe one,” Iyer said in Mohali, ahead of the start of IPL 2026 next week.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Thankfully, I was back in good shape after two months. But gaining those 7 kg back took a lot of effort. I enjoy challenges, and that was one I had to overcome. I’m glad I came through that phase and am back representing my team, and also having represented India in the previous series. I feel proud of myself.”&nbsp;Also Read -<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kkr-coach-abhishek-nayar-provides-major-update-on-harshit-rana-s-replacement-check-details-1774015868607"> KKR coach Abhishek Nayar provides major update on Harshit Rana’s replacement</a>&nbsp;After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title and taking Punjab Kings to the final in 2025, expectations are high from Iyer this season. He said the team’s main goal is to win the trophy and that he enjoys the pressure that comes with it.&nbsp;“Expectations are high, which is fun. I love the challenge. But the important thing is that whenever we step in, we have to win. My eye is on the trophy,” Iyer said before opening up on the importance of team bonding activities.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-major-setback-for-pbks-as-lockie-ferguson-to-miss-start-of-season-1774008942360">IPL 2026: Major setback for PBKS as Lockie Ferguson to miss start of season</a>&nbsp;Iyer also highlighted the importance of team bonding and said that spending time together helps players understand each other better. He mentioned that much of their free time is spent playing games like FIFA, while match strategies are usually discussed before to match days. According to him, building strong relationships off the field eventually leads to better performances on it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“This is the period where we live as a family for two months. The more time we spend together, the more we get to know each other. Now is the time where we build that camaraderie. We spend most of our time in the game room, playing FIFA and other games. The planning and plotting for matches usually happens a day or two before the game, but building this bond off the field helps us get better results eventually,” he added.

Shreyas Iyer has returned from a challenging injury break and is ready to lead Punjab Kings once again, focusing on taking the team a step further in IPL 2026.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer opened up about his recovery struggle after suffering a spleen injury in the third ODI of India’s Australia tour, which caused him to lose nearly seven kilograms and sidelined him for months. At one point, he was even admitted to the ICU in a Sydney hospital before being discharged. Speaking at an event in Mohali ahead of IPL 2026, Iyer said returning after such an injury was not easy and explained that although he regained fitness in about two months, but putting the lost weight back on required a lot of effort. He added that he enjoys challenges and felt proud to overcome this phase and return to playing, including representing India again in a recent series. “It’s always challenging to come back after an injury. I had lost around seven kg due to the injury, it was a severe one,” Iyer said in Mohali, ahead of the start of IPL 2026 next week. “Thankfully, I was back in good shape after two months. But gaining those 7 kg back took a lot of effort. I enjoy challenges, and that was one I had to overcome. I’m glad I came through that phase and am back representing my team, and also having represented India in the previous series. I feel proud of myself.” Also Read - KKR coach Abhishek Nayar provides major update on Harshit Rana’s replacement After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title and taking Punjab Kings to the final in 2025, expectations are high from Iyer this season. He said the team’s main goal is to win the trophy and that he enjoys the pressure that comes with it. “Expectations are high, which is fun. I love the challenge. But the important thing is that whenever we step in, we have to win. My eye is on the trophy,” Iyer said before opening up on the importance of team bonding activities. Also Read - IPL 2026: Major setback for PBKS as Lockie Ferguson to miss start of season Iyer also highlighted the importance of team bonding and said that spending time together helps players understand each other better. He mentioned that much of their free time is spent playing games like FIFA, while match strategies are usually discussed before to match days. According to him, building strong relationships off the field eventually leads to better performances on it. “This is the period where we live as a family for two months. The more time we spend together, the more we get to know each other. Now is the time where we build that camaraderie. We spend most of our time in the game room, playing FIFA and other games. The planning and plotting for matches usually happens a day or two before the game, but building this bond off the field helps us get better results eventually,” he added.

Shreyas Iyer has returned from a challenging injury break and is ready to lead Punjab Kings once again, focusing on taking the team a step further in IPL 2026.

‘Took a lot of effort….’: Shreyas Iyer on injury recovery ahead of IPL 2026

Get complete IPL 2026 details including dates, venues, full schedule, ticket booking, live streaming info, team squads, and captains. Stay updated with everything you need to know about the upcoming Indian Premier League season.

Get complete IPL 2026 details including dates, venues, full schedule, ticket booking, live streaming info, team squads, and captains. Stay updated with everything you need to know about the upcoming Indian Premier League season.

IPL 2026: Dates, venues, schedule, tickets, live streaming, team squads and captains – All you need to know

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a major setback ahead of IPL 2026, as their star pacer Harshit Rana almost ruled out of the tournament after injuring a ligament in his right knee during a warm-up match for the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa. Following surgery, he is currently recovering, but there is no clear timeline for his return, forcing KKR to explore other bowling options. Speaking at Eden Gardens on Friday (Mar 20), head coach Abhishek Nayar said Rana’s absence is a big loss and explained that Rana has been an important part of the team for the past few seasons and has developed into a strong player, making him hard to replace.&nbsp;“Firstly, it’s a big blow because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last few seasons. All these years, he has grown into a good cricketer. We’ll always miss Harshit Rana, and it’s not easy to replace him," Nayar said at a press conference in Kolkata.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-major-setback-for-pbks-as-lockie-ferguson-to-miss-start-of-season-1774008942360">IPL 2026: Major setback for PBKS as Lockie Ferguson to miss start of season</a>&nbsp;Nayar also said the team has been reviewing several bowlers to find the best replacement, however, no final decision has been made yet. He added that Rana is currently recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and the team expects to announce a replacement in the next few days.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Having said that, we have looked at a few bowlers over the past few days. We are trying to evaluate, with the help of our leadership group, who fits in and who can play that role to the best of their abilities. So we are still evaluating that and have yet to make that decision. But hopefully, we can identify who can make a difference," he added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/delhi-capitals-suffer-early-setback-as-mitchell-starc-set-to-miss-initial-stage-of-ipl-2026-1773993183628">Delhi Capitals suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians on Mar 29. Their first home match will be against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Apr 2, where team owner Shah Rukh Khan is likely to be present.

Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians on Mar 29 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a major setback ahead of IPL 2026, as their star pacer Harshit Rana almost ruled out of the tournament after injuring a ligament in his right knee during a warm-up match for the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa. Following surgery, he is currently recovering, but there is no clear timeline for his return, forcing KKR to explore other bowling options. Speaking at Eden Gardens on Friday (Mar 20), head coach Abhishek Nayar said Rana’s absence is a big loss and explained that Rana has been an important part of the team for the past few seasons and has developed into a strong player, making him hard to replace. “Firstly, it’s a big blow because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last few seasons. All these years, he has grown into a good cricketer. We’ll always miss Harshit Rana, and it’s not easy to replace him," Nayar said at a press conference in Kolkata. Also Read - IPL 2026: Major setback for PBKS as Lockie Ferguson to miss start of season Nayar also said the team has been reviewing several bowlers to find the best replacement, however, no final decision has been made yet. He added that Rana is currently recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and the team expects to announce a replacement in the next few days. “Having said that, we have looked at a few bowlers over the past few days. We are trying to evaluate, with the help of our leadership group, who fits in and who can play that role to the best of their abilities. So we are still evaluating that and have yet to make that decision. But hopefully, we can identify who can make a difference," he added. Also Read - Delhi Capitals suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026 KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians on Mar 29. Their first home match will be against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Apr 2, where team owner Shah Rukh Khan is likely to be present.

Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians on Mar 29 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

KKR coach Abhishek Nayar provides major update on Harshit Rana’s replacement, check details

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, starting on Mar 28. The Punjab Kings pacer is currently representing the Blackcaps in a five-match T20I series against South Africa. He recently returned from a short paternity break after the birth of his child, having taken time off during the T20 World Cup 2026 before rejoining the squad in the Super 8 stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 34-year-old recently shared that having a newborn has changed his priorities and he wants to spend more time at home while still managing his cricket career. Ferguson further added that he will take a few weeks off after the current series and then join Punjab Kings later in the IPL season.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/delhi-capitals-suffer-early-setback-as-mitchell-starc-set-to-miss-initial-stage-of-ipl-2026-1773993183628">Delhi Capitals suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;"Just had a wee son, trying to spend as much time as I can at home and help the wife out. I'll have a few weeks off after this, before sort of heading to the later stages of the IPL and away for the winter," Lockie Ferguson said before the third T20I against South Africa.&nbsp;In the second T20I against South Africa, he performed well and picked up three wickets for 16 runs in a comfortable win for New Zealand. After the third match, he plans to take a longer break.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/big-boost-for-kkr-as-matheesha-pathirana-declared-fit-ahead-of-ipl-2026-1773995983759">Big boost for KKR as Matheesha Pathirana declared fit ahead of IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;Despite Lockie Ferguson’s absence, Punjab Kings still have strong fast-bowling options, including Arshdeep Singh, Ben Dwarshuis, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Xavier Bartlett and Yash Thakur. All-rounders such as Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen and Marcus Stoinis further add depth to the squad.&nbsp;Punjab Kings, who finished as runners-up last season, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Titans on Mar 31 in New Chandigarh.

Punjab Kings, who finished as runners-up last season, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Titans on Mar 31 in New Chandigarh.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, starting on Mar 28. The Punjab Kings pacer is currently representing the Blackcaps in a five-match T20I series against South Africa. He recently returned from a short paternity break after the birth of his child, having taken time off during the T20 World Cup 2026 before rejoining the squad in the Super 8 stage. The 34-year-old recently shared that having a newborn has changed his priorities and he wants to spend more time at home while still managing his cricket career. Ferguson further added that he will take a few weeks off after the current series and then join Punjab Kings later in the IPL season. Also Read - Delhi Capitals suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026 "Just had a wee son, trying to spend as much time as I can at home and help the wife out. I'll have a few weeks off after this, before sort of heading to the later stages of the IPL and away for the winter," Lockie Ferguson said before the third T20I against South Africa. In the second T20I against South Africa, he performed well and picked up three wickets for 16 runs in a comfortable win for New Zealand. After the third match, he plans to take a longer break. Also Read - Big boost for KKR as Matheesha Pathirana declared fit ahead of IPL 2026 Despite Lockie Ferguson’s absence, Punjab Kings still have strong fast-bowling options, including Arshdeep Singh, Ben Dwarshuis, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Xavier Bartlett and Yash Thakur. All-rounders such as Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen and Marcus Stoinis further add depth to the squad. Punjab Kings, who finished as runners-up last season, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Titans on Mar 31 in New Chandigarh.

Punjab Kings, who finished as runners-up last season, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Titans on Mar 31 in New Chandigarh.

IPL 2026: Major setback for PBKS as Lockie Ferguson to miss start of season

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) received a timely boost on Thursday (Mar 20) as Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that their key fast bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, is fully fit and ready for the IPL 2026. Amid speculation over his availability, Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Bandula Dissanayake stated that Pathirana has completed his recovery and has been cleared to participate in the tournament.&nbsp;“As far as I know, he’s fit and we have given him NOC to participate in the IPL, that’s all I know at this point of time," Dissanayake was quoted as saying.&nbsp;“He has completed rehab and he is fit. But the franchise will be tasked to assess his readiness. At the moment we don’t know anything about that. As far as we know he is fit and ready to join IPL."&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/delhi-capitals-suffer-early-setback-as-mitchell-starc-set-to-miss-initial-stage-of-ipl-2026-1773993183628">DC suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026</a>&nbsp;However, it is still not clear when Pathirana will join the KKR squad. The team will leave for Mumbai on Mar 25 and play their first match against Mumbai Indians on Mar 29. After that, they will play three home games at Eden Gardens against Sunrisers Hyderabad (Apr 2), Punjab Kings (Apr 6) and Lucknow Super Giants (Apr 9).&nbsp;Pathirana, bought by KKR for INR 18 crore, had been recovering from a calf injury sustained during Sri Lanka’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia. He subsequently missed the remainder of the tournament, as the co-hosts were eliminated in the Super 8 stage.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-reprimands-israeli-football-association-for-breaching-anti-discrimination-objectives-1773971924922">FIFA reprimands Israeli Football for breaching anti-discrimination objectives</a>&nbsp;Nicknamed “Baby Malinga,” Pathirana emerged as a T20 specialist while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Since his debut in 2022, he has featured in 32 matches for the team, claiming 47 wickets.&nbsp;However, his 2025 season was not very successful, as he managed only 13 wickets in 12 matches, at an economy rate of 10.14 and bowling average of 32.62.&nbsp;KKR’s pace attack has faced challenges ahead of the upcoming season, as their main pacer Harshit Rana is recovering from a ligament injury in his right knee and is likely to miss the tournament. Earlier this year, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released due to a BCCI rule and the team brought in Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani as his replacement.

KKR gets a timely boost ahead of IPL 2026 as Matheesha Pathirana cleared by Sri Lanka Cricket to join the franchise

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) received a timely boost on Thursday (Mar 20) as Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that their key fast bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, is fully fit and ready for the IPL 2026. Amid speculation over his availability, Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Bandula Dissanayake stated that Pathirana has completed his recovery and has been cleared to participate in the tournament. “As far as I know, he’s fit and we have given him NOC to participate in the IPL, that’s all I know at this point of time," Dissanayake was quoted as saying. “He has completed rehab and he is fit. But the franchise will be tasked to assess his readiness. At the moment we don’t know anything about that. As far as we know he is fit and ready to join IPL." Also Read - DC suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026 However, it is still not clear when Pathirana will join the KKR squad. The team will leave for Mumbai on Mar 25 and play their first match against Mumbai Indians on Mar 29. After that, they will play three home games at Eden Gardens against Sunrisers Hyderabad (Apr 2), Punjab Kings (Apr 6) and Lucknow Super Giants (Apr 9). Pathirana, bought by KKR for INR 18 crore, had been recovering from a calf injury sustained during Sri Lanka’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia. He subsequently missed the remainder of the tournament, as the co-hosts were eliminated in the Super 8 stage. Also Read - FIFA reprimands Israeli Football for breaching anti-discrimination objectives Nicknamed “Baby Malinga,” Pathirana emerged as a T20 specialist while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Since his debut in 2022, he has featured in 32 matches for the team, claiming 47 wickets. However, his 2025 season was not very successful, as he managed only 13 wickets in 12 matches, at an economy rate of 10.14 and bowling average of 32.62. KKR’s pace attack has faced challenges ahead of the upcoming season, as their main pacer Harshit Rana is recovering from a ligament injury in his right knee and is likely to miss the tournament. Earlier this year, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released due to a BCCI rule and the team brought in Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani as his replacement.

KKR gets a timely boost ahead of IPL 2026 as Matheesha Pathirana cleared by Sri Lanka Cricket to join the franchise

Big boost for KKR as Matheesha Pathirana declared fit ahead of IPL 2026

Best Batting Performance - Chris Gayle 175 not out
Best Bowling Performance - Alzarri Joseph 6/12
Best Team Total - 287/3 by SRH
Most Total Sixes in an IPL Match - 42 in KKR vs PBKS
Highest Total Chased - 262 by PBKS
Lowest Total Defended - 111 by PBKS
Best Partnership by Runs - 229 by ABD & Kohli

As IPL 2026 gears up to begin, let's have a look at the best performance in the tournament history from batting, bowling to partnership and individual brilliance.

IPL Records: List of Best Batting, Bowling and Team Records in IPL History

Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc will miss the initial stage of IPL 2026, as reported by cricket.com.au, joining fellow Australians Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who will also not feature at the start of the tournament. According to the report, Cricket Australia is managing its key bowlers carefully due to an upcoming packed international schedule. From August, Australia’s Test team is expected to play up to 21 matches in a year, including important tours of South Africa, India and England, followed by the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The return of these players will depend on how well they recover in the coming weeks.&nbsp;“Cricket Australia is taking a cautious approach with their star multi-format bowlers given what lies ahead: from August, the Test side will play up to 21 matches in a 12-month period, including legacy-defining tours of South Africa, India and England, before defending their ODI World Cup crown in Southern Africa in late 2027. The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks," the report stated.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/march-madness-watch-vcu-stuns-unc-thanks-to-3p-dagger-in-ot-by-terrence-hill-jr-1773976185584">March Madness | WATCH - VCU stuns UNC, thanks to 3P dagger in OT by Hill</a>&nbsp;Cummins, who leads Australia in Tests, played only one match in the 2025-26 The Ashes due to a back injury. Hazlewood, on the other hand, missed the entire series because of hamstring and Achilles issues. Both players also missed the T20 World Cup 2026, held in India and Sri Lanka.&nbsp;In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan will lead Hyderabad at the start of the season, which begins on Mar 28.&nbsp;Another Australian pacer, Nathan Ellis, is ruled out of the IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury. He had recovered earlier to play in the World Cup but got injured again during a domestic final in Hobart.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-reprimands-israeli-football-association-for-breaching-anti-discrimination-objectives-1773971924922">FIFA reprimands Israeli Football for breaching anti-discrimination objectives</a>&nbsp;Young Australian bowler Jack Edwards will also miss IPL 2026 due to a foot injury. He had performed well in the Big Bash League, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches.&nbsp;Starc’s absence is a big setback for Delhi Capitals, as he is their lead bowler and picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches last season. In his absence, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi is expected to lead the bowling attack, with support from T. Natarajan, Auqib Nabi Dar, Kyle Jamieson and Dushmantha Chameera.

This decision comes ahead of a demanding year, as Australia’s Test side prepares for a heavy workload of up to 21 matches over the next 12 months starting in August.

Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc will miss the initial stage of IPL 2026, as reported by cricket.com.au, joining fellow Australians Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who will also not feature at the start of the tournament. According to the report, Cricket Australia is managing its key bowlers carefully due to an upcoming packed international schedule. From August, Australia’s Test team is expected to play up to 21 matches in a year, including important tours of South Africa, India and England, followed by the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The return of these players will depend on how well they recover in the coming weeks. “Cricket Australia is taking a cautious approach with their star multi-format bowlers given what lies ahead: from August, the Test side will play up to 21 matches in a 12-month period, including legacy-defining tours of South Africa, India and England, before defending their ODI World Cup crown in Southern Africa in late 2027. The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks," the report stated. Also Read - March Madness | WATCH - VCU stuns UNC, thanks to 3P dagger in OT by Hill Cummins, who leads Australia in Tests, played only one match in the 2025-26 The Ashes due to a back injury. Hazlewood, on the other hand, missed the entire series because of hamstring and Achilles issues. Both players also missed the T20 World Cup 2026, held in India and Sri Lanka. In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan will lead Hyderabad at the start of the season, which begins on Mar 28. Another Australian pacer, Nathan Ellis, is ruled out of the IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury. He had recovered earlier to play in the World Cup but got injured again during a domestic final in Hobart. Also Read - FIFA reprimands Israeli Football for breaching anti-discrimination objectives Young Australian bowler Jack Edwards will also miss IPL 2026 due to a foot injury. He had performed well in the Big Bash League, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches. Starc’s absence is a big setback for Delhi Capitals, as he is their lead bowler and picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches last season. In his absence, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi is expected to lead the bowling attack, with support from T. Natarajan, Auqib Nabi Dar, Kyle Jamieson and Dushmantha Chameera.

This decision comes ahead of a demanding year, as Australia’s Test side prepares for a heavy workload of up to 21 matches over the next 12 months starting in August.

Delhi Capitals suffer early setback as Mitchell Starc set to miss initial stage of IPL 2026

All the sides will be led by Indian captain for now with Ishan Kishan replacing Pat Cummins for SRH till the Aussie pacer recovers from the injury.

All the sides will be led by Indian captain for now with Ishan Kishan replacing Pat Cummins for SRH till the Aussie pacer recovers from the injury.

IPL 2026 Captains List: Team-wise captain names

Rajasthan Royals could have a huge shoe to fill with little over a week to go for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season to start. According to a media report circulating on Thursday (Mar 19), all-rounder Sam Curran is likely to miss the entire season, which starts on Saturday (Mar 28). Curran was one of the two players traded to RR from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) along with Ravindra Jadeja.<h2>Curran to miss IPL 2026?</h2>According to a report from prominent cricket website Espncricinfo, Curran has suffered a groin injury, which could see him miss at least two months of cricket. This means he could miss the entire IPL 2026, which begins next season. The English all-rounder was a high-profile trade from CSK in November, which saw Ravindra Jadeja also come to the 2008 champions, while Sanju Samson was released.&nbsp;While the extent of the injury is unknown, Curran’s unavailability could be a huge issue for the Rajasthan management. In case Curran’s unavailability is confirmed, RR will have to stress their resources and find a like-to-like replacement. In case the injury is confirmed, the IPL commission will only allow a like-for-like replacement.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;RR would have been the third franchise Curran would have represented in the IPL after having started his career at Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2019. Curran then played for CSK in 2020 and 2021, before returning to PBKS in 2023 as the league's most expensive player at INR 18.5 crore, and playing for them again in 2024. Curran was bought back by CSK for INR 2.4 crore for IPL 2025, which he finished with 114 runs and only one wicket in five games.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Apart from Jadeja, RR also have another allrounder in Donovan Ferreira, a power-hitter who can bowl quickish offspin. Just like Jadeja and Curran, Ferreria, too, was bought by RR via a trade at his base price of INR 1 crore from the Delhi Capitals.

According to a media report circulating on Thursday (Mar 19), all-rounder Sam Curran is likely to miss the entire season, which starts on Saturday (Mar 28). Curran was one of the two players traded to RR from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) along with Ravindra Jadeja.

Rajasthan Royals could have a huge shoe to fill with little over a week to go for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season to start. According to a media report circulating on Thursday (Mar 19), all-rounder Sam Curran is likely to miss the entire season, which starts on Saturday (Mar 28). Curran was one of the two players traded to RR from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) along with Ravindra Jadeja. Curran to miss IPL 2026? According to a report from prominent cricket website Espncricinfo, Curran has suffered a groin injury, which could see him miss at least two months of cricket. This means he could miss the entire IPL 2026, which begins next season. The English all-rounder was a high-profile trade from CSK in November, which saw Ravindra Jadeja also come to the 2008 champions, while Sanju Samson was released. While the extent of the injury is unknown, Curran’s unavailability could be a huge issue for the Rajasthan management. In case Curran’s unavailability is confirmed, RR will have to stress their resources and find a like-to-like replacement. In case the injury is confirmed, the IPL commission will only allow a like-for-like replacement. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds RR would have been the third franchise Curran would have represented in the IPL after having started his career at Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2019. Curran then played for CSK in 2020 and 2021, before returning to PBKS in 2023 as the league's most expensive player at INR 18.5 crore, and playing for them again in 2024. Curran was bought back by CSK for INR 2.4 crore for IPL 2025, which he finished with 114 runs and only one wicket in five games. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Apart from Jadeja, RR also have another allrounder in Donovan Ferreira, a power-hitter who can bowl quickish offspin. Just like Jadeja and Curran, Ferreria, too, was bought by RR via a trade at his base price of INR 1 crore from the Delhi Capitals.

According to a media report circulating on Thursday (Mar 19), all-rounder Sam Curran is likely to miss the entire season, which starts on Saturday (Mar 28). Curran was one of the two players traded to RR from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) along with Ravindra Jadeja.

IPL 2026: Sam Curran likely to miss entire season with suspected groin injury - Report

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