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Harshit Rana is set to miss the majority of the Indian Premier League 2026 after suffering a ligament strain in his right knee during India`s T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa.
The KKR pacer is still recovering from the knee surgery he had last month and will probably miss a large portion of the next IPL. According to an ESPNCricinfo report, there is `no firm date of return earmarked by the BCCI medical team yet”
Rana was part of India`s T20 World Cup squad but pulled up against South Africa in the warm-up match. Mohammed Siraj was slotted in as a replacement, and India ended up winning the World Cup for a record third time.
During the Naman BCCI awards 2026, Rana was awarded the Best International Debutant for 2024-25. Rana`s absence will be a major setback for KKR, who are already dealing with multiple fitness concerns.
Kolkata Knight Riders` fast bowling conundrum
KKR have been hit with a fast bowling conundrum as fitness issues and injuries have halted their progress.
Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan pacer, has been recovering from a calf strain he suffered during the T20 World Cup. At first, the injury was not serious, but his participation in the IPL is still in doubt.
Due to tense geopolitical ties between Bangladesh and India earlier this year, the BCCI ordered KKR to release left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman. As a result, KKR is also without Rahman.
Since then, the team has replaced Rahman with Zimbabwean speedster Blessing Muzarabani. Muzarabani chose not to play for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League because he will be joining the KKR as an injury replacement.
Vaibhav Arora, Akash Deep, Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, and all-rounders Cameron Green and Ramandeep Singh are among KKR`s other pace options.
KKR will begin their campaign against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29. KKR have historically struggled against MI but will be keen to change that record. After that, KKR will host Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in the opening phase of the tournament.
(With PTI input)
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