Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders have suffered a significant setback ahead of IPL 2026, with right-arm pacer Akash Deep reportedly ruled out of the tournament starting March 28. According to ESPNcricinfo (March 21), the 29-year-old has not recovered from a lower-back stress injury and will miss the season.
Akash Deep has been rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and did not join the team’s preparatory camp, which began on March 18. Bought for ₹1 crore at the 2026 auction, he has played 14 IPL matches and taken 10 wickets so far.
This development further weakens the squad led by Ajinkya Rahane, who are already without key Indian pacer Harshit Rana. Rana has been ruled out after undergoing surgery for a right knee ligament injury sustained during a ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa national cricket team.
Adding to their concerns, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana, signed for ₹18 crore, is yet to receive a no-objection certificate (NOC) from his board and is expected to miss the first half of the tournament. Head coach Abhishek Nayar mentioned in a March 20 press conference that the pacer may only be available from mid-April.
Kolkata Knight Riders Injury Crisis Puts Vaibhav Arora As Lead Indian Pacer
With Harshit Rana and Akash Deep unavailable, Vaibhav Arora now steps up as the primary Indian fast bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders. He has taken 36 wickets in 32 IPL matches and was a key member of their 2024 title-winning squad.
Among the remaining pace options, Umran Malik featured in only one match for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024 and missed the 2025 season with KKR due to injury, while Kartik Tyagi last played in the IPL in 2024. The team also has overseas pace resources in Blessing Muzarabani, Matheesha Pathirana, along with all-rounder Cameron Green.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
