Three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been facing some big blows just ahead of IPL 2026. However, their bowling strength has been severely hit with injuries to speedsters Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana. On the other hand, the presence of a power-hitter like Finn Allen at the top will give them confidence as well. KKR will start their campaign against the Mumbai Indians on March 29.
However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have named Navdeep Saini as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Notably, Harshit Rana was earlier ruled out of the tournament due to a ligament strain in his right knee, sustained during the T20 World Cup, further weakening KKR’s bowling attack as well.
Meanwhile, Akash Deep and Matheesha Pathirana are also out with injuries. Saini has earlier played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as well.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Full IPL 2026 Schedule
March 29 – Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Mumbai – 7:30 PM IST
April 2 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST
April 6 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST
April 9 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST
April 14 – Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
April 17 – Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Ahmedabad – 7:30 PM IST
April 19 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals – Kolkata – 3:30 PM IST
April 26 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Lucknow – 7:30 PM IST
May 3 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Hyderabad – 3:30 PM IST
May 8 – Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Delhi – 7:30 PM IST
May 13 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Raipur – 7:30 PM IST
May 16 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST
May 20 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST
May 24 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals – Kolkata – 7:30 PM IST
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
