IPL 2026: KKR to miss out on another fast bowler as Akash Deep ruled out of season
Exact reasons for Akash’s injury remain unclear; the KKR fast bowler is undergoing rehabilitation in the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are facing an extreme crisis in their bowling unit in the absence of Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana in IPL 2026.
While Rana has been ruled out of the season due to a ligament strain in his right knee, Pathirana is yet to get a clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket to join the KKR camp.
On Friday, reports have surfaced about Akash Deep’s absence in the KKR camp set up in Kolkata from March 18 onwards.
A top official from the franchise has confirmed the reports with Cricbuzz and said, “Unfortunately, he is out of the IPL, ruled out for this season.”
The exact reasons for Akash’s injury remain unclear, and the player is undergoing rehabilitation in the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
There has been constant communication between the CoE managers and the franchise regarding the player’s condition, according to Cricbuzz reports.
On being asked about Rana, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar hinted towards a possible replacement of the right-arm medium-fast bowler and said once the franchise’s medical team gets an intimation from the CoE, the management will evaluate their options and make the announcement.
Akash Deep, who played for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price Rs 1 crore last year in the mini auctions in Abu Dhabi.
