Kolkata Knight Riders to Replace Injured Akash Deep with Saurabh Dubey Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have confirmed that Saurabh Dubey will replace the injured Akash Deep in their squad for the IPL 2026 season. The decision was announced by KKR CEO Venky Mysore during an intra-squad practice match in Kolkata. Dubey, a left-arm seamer from Vidarbha, will step into the role left vacant by Deep, who is sidelined due to a lower-back injury. Dubey, 28, has yet to make an IPL appearance and has played only 11 senior-level matches in domestic cricket. He last represented Vidarbha in a T20 match in October 2023, having been absent from competitive cricket for nearly two-and-a-half years. However, his performances in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League last year, particularly for the Orange Tigers, caught the attention of teams. In 2022, he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) but his season was cut short by an injury. Dubey has also been a net bowler for Mumbai Indians. His cricketing journey includes a standout performance in 2019 when he was the leading wicket-taker for India in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. KKR’s head coach, Abhishek Nayar, and his staff have been actively scouting for replacements for Deep and Harshit Rana, with Dubey emerging as the preferred option. During trials conducted during KKR’s IPL training camp in Kolkata, Dubey impressed the coaching staff, leading to his inclusion in the squad. Other bowlers who participated in the trials included Navdeep Saini, KM Asif, Simarjeet Singh, Akash Madhwal, and Sandeep Warrier. Mysore highlighted the efforts of Nayar in assembling potential candidates for the coaches to evaluate. “The one who has caught everyone’s eyes is Saurabh Dubey, Vidarbha’s left-arm seamer,” Mysore said.#kolkata_knight_riders #vidarbha #abhishek_nayar #saurabh_dubey #venky_mysore
Kolkata Knight Riders to Replace Akash Deep with Saurabh Dubey for IPL 2026 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have confirmed that left-arm seamer Saurabh Dubey will replace the injured Akash Deep in their squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision was announced by KKR CEO Venky Mysore during an intra-squad practice session in Kolkata, following trials conducted during the team’s training camp. Dubey, who has not played competitive cricket in nearly two-and-a-half years, will join the squad as a replacement for Deep, who is ruled out due to a lower-back injury. Dubey, 28, is an uncapped IPL player who has represented Vidarbha in senior cricket, logging just 11 first-class matches. His last competitive appearance came in a T20 game for Vidarbha in October 2023. However, he made a strong impression in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League in 2022, where he was part of the Orange Tigers squad. Despite being purchased by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2022, his season was cut short by injury. He has also been a net bowler for Mumbai Indians. Dubey’s inclusion comes after KKR’s coaching staff identified him as a key replacement for Deep. Head coach Abhishek Nayar praised the team’s efforts in bringing potential candidates to the training camp, highlighting Dubey’s standout performance. “The one who has caught everyone’s eyes is Saurabh Dubey, Vidarbha left-arm seamer, tall,” Mysore noted. The coaches expressed enthusiasm about Dubey’s potential to fill the void left by Deep’s injury. The team is also managing the absence of Matheesha Pathirana, who will miss the early part of the IPL due to an injury sustained in the T20 World Cup. Mysore emphasized that the club is in constant communication with Pathirana and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, ensuring the player’s recovery takes priority.#kolkata_knight_riders #vidarbha #abhishek_nayar #saurabh_dubey #venky_mysore
KKR's IPL 2026 Playing XI Revealed: Finn Allen to Open, Cameron Green at No. 4 The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have unveiled their predicted playing XI for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, signaling a major shift in strategy following a significant squad overhaul. The team, which previously relied heavily on franchise legend Andre Russell, now operates under new leadership from captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Abhishek Nayar. This transition has seen KKR prioritize a blend of explosive international talent and a strong Indian core, aiming to rebuild their identity after Russell’s departure as a "power coach." The team’s aggressive approach is highlighted by their record-breaking acquisition of Australia all-rounder Cameron Green, who signed for Rs 25.20 crore in the 2026 auction. Green is expected to anchor the middle order, providing stability and power to replace the role once filled by Venkatesh Iyer. However, KKR’s bowling department faces challenges, with key pace bowlers Matheesha Pathirana, Harshit Rana, and Mustafizur Rahman either unavailable or absent due to injuries or other commitments. This has forced the team to adapt their bowling strategy for the upcoming season. The predicted lineup for KKR in IPL 2026 includes Finn Allen as the opening batsman, marking a departure from their previous approach. Allen, a New Zealand wicket-keeper batter, is set to lead the charge with his aggressive style, supported by Rahane at No. 2. Rahane’s role will focus on anchoring the innings while allowing other batters to take risks. At No. 3, Angkrish Raghuvanshi is expected to provide balance with his technical skills against both pace and spin, crucial for matches at Eden Gardens. Cameron Green’s inclusion at No.#finn_allen #kolkata_knight_riders #ajinkya_rahane #abhishek_nayar #cameron_green
