Saurabh Dubey Joins KKR as Replacement for Akash Deep in IPL 2026 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced the inclusion of Saurabh Dubey in their squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement for injured fast bowler Akash Deep. Dubey, who was left out of the IPL 2025 auction, is set to bolster KKR’s pace attack after the team faced challenges with injuries and form issues in the previous season. Dubey, a 26-year-old left-arm fast bowler, has not played a single match in the IPL so far. Despite his potential, he was not selected in the 2025 auction, which raised questions about his readiness for the tournament. However, KKR’s decision to bring him on board for 2026 suggests confidence in his ability to contribute to the team’s bowling department. The team’s pace attack has been under scrutiny, with key players like Harshit Rana and Akash Deep missing due to injuries. Additionally, Mathisa Pathirana is unavailable for early matches, further straining KKR’s options. Dubey’s inclusion aims to address these gaps and provide depth to the bowling unit. Dubey’s career has seen mixed results in domestic cricket, but his performances in List-A matches have shown promise. In 2025, he took 15 wickets in 10 games for Punjab Kings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, highlighting his ability to bowl in pressure situations. KKR’s management believes his experience and pace could be a valuable asset in the high-stakes IPL environment. The team’s struggles in IPL 2025, where they managed only five wins in 14 matches, have prompted a strategic overhaul. The addition of overseas stars like Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Cameron Green has strengthened KKR’s batting lineup, but the bowling department remains a priority.#ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #punjab_kings #akash_deep #saurabh_dubey
Kolkata Knight Riders के तेज गेंदबाज आकाश दीप के चोटिल हो जाने के बाद टीम ने उनके रिप्लेसमेंट के तौर पर सौरभ दुबे को टीम में शामिल करने का फैसला किया है। दुबे को इंडियन प्रीमियर लीग (IPL) 2026 के लिए अपने टीम कैम्प में शामिल कर लिया गया है, जहां उन्होंने ट्रेनिंग के लिए शुरूआत कर दी है। दुबे बाएं हाथ के तेज गेंदबाज हैं और घरेलू क्रिकेट में विदर्भ का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं। सौरभ दुबे ने अब तक 8 लिस्ट-ए और 3 टी20 मुकाबले खेले हैं। इस दौरान उन्होंने लिस्ट-ए मैचों में 23.31 के एवरेज से 16 विकेट झटके हैं, जबकि टी20 क्रिकेट में उन्होंने अब तक कोई विकेट नहीं लिया है। इंजीनियरिंग और टेक्नोलॉजी के क्षेत्र में अपनी विशेषज्ञता के कारण उन्हें आईपीएल के लिए चुना गया है। आईपीएल 2026 के लिए हुई मिनी नीलामी में दुबे को अनसोल्ड रहे थे, जिसके बाद उन्हें अपनी टीम के लिए खेलने का मौका मिला। दुबे का बेस प्राइस 30 लाख रुपये था, लेकिन उन्हें एक भी मैच खेलने का मौका नहीं मिला था। इसके बाद उन्हें कोलकाता नाइट राइडर्स ने अपने टीम में शामिल कर लिया है। दुबे के जॉइनिंग के बाद कोलकाता नाइट राइडर्स की तेज गेंदबाजी यूनिट में विविधता आएगी। आकाश दीप और हर्षित राणा के चोटिल हो जाने के कारण टीम की तेज गेंदबाजी यूनिट कमजोर हुई है, लेकिन दुबे के जॉइनिंग से टीम के बॉलिंग अटैक में नए रूप आएगा। दुबे के डेब्यू के बारे में उम्मीद है कि वे आईपीएल में अपना नाम जगाएंगे। सौरभ दुबे के जॉइनिंग के बाद टीम के खिलाड़ियों के बीच उत्साह बढ़ गया है, जो आईपीएल 2026 में अपने अंतरराष्ट्रीय अंदाज में खेलेंगे। उनके जॉइनिंग के बाद टीम के लक्ष्य को अधिक जोर देने के लिए उनके जॉइनिंग के बाद टीम के खिलाड़ियों के बीच उत्साह बढ़ गया है।#kolkata_knight_riders #indian_premier_league #akash_deep #saurabh_dube #harsht_rana
Akash Deep Out of IPL with Back Injury; Doubtful for One-Off Test Against Afghanistan in June India seamer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for at least eight weeks due to a stress reaction in his lower back, according to a BCCI source. The injury has also cast doubt on his availability for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in early June. The 29-year-old Bengal pacer, who last played in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Jammu and Kashmir, has been sidelined after showing signs of reduced fitness during recent matches. The BCCI source confirmed that Deep’s injury involves a recurrence of the stress reaction, which may require 8-12 weeks of recovery. “He is not going to play the IPL and is very unlikely to be selected against Afghanistan,” the source stated. Medical experts emphasized that the healing process, combined with workload adaptation and return-to-play protocols, could take up to 10 weeks, with the possibility of further delays. Deep’s absence adds to Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) growing list of injuries, which already includes pace bowlers Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana. The franchise, which finished eighth in the IPL last season, faces a significant challenge in maintaining its fast-bowling depth. KKR will now rely on domestic options such as Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, and Umran Malik, who has recently recovered from a shoulder injury. The team’s management has been actively scouting replacements, holding trials with experienced pacers like Akash Madhwal, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, KM Asif, and Sandeep Warrier. Madhwal, who impressed with a 5/5 performance for Mumbai Indians in the 2023 Eliminator, appears to be a leading contender, though no official announcement has been made.#bcci #kolkata_knight_riders #ipl #dwayne_bravo #akash_deep
KKR's Akash Deep Ruled Out of IPL 2026 Akash Deep has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2026 after failing to recover in time from a lower-back stress injury. The seamer, who was not part of Kolkata Knight Riders' preparatory camp, is set to miss the entire season and will require an additional three months of rehabilitation. His absence has raised concerns about the team's fast-bowling depth, which is already facing challenges due to other key players' injuries. Deep's exclusion follows his participation in the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for rehabilitation rather than joining the franchise's pre-season preparations. This has left KKR with a depleted pace attack, as Harshit Rana is also likely to miss significant portions of the tournament, while Matheesha Pathirana is expected to be sidelined during the early stages. The team's fast-bowling options now include Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, and Kartik Tyagi, with Cameron Green providing a seam-bowling allrounder option. The franchise is actively seeking a replacement for Rana, who is also expected to miss parts of the season, and is conducting trials for an Indian fast bowler to bolster their pace attack. KKR had already made changes ahead of the season by bringing in Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, but the current squad lacks both depth and experience in the fast-bowling department. The team's reliance on limited options highlights the need for reinforcements as they prepare for the new season. With multiple key players sidelined, KKR faces the challenge of rebuilding their pace attack while managing the absence of Deep, who was a key part of their bowling strategy.#bcci #ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #harshit_rana #akash_deep
The who's who of injured and unavailable players for IPL 2026 As the IPL 2026 season approaches, several key players have been sidelined due to injuries, creating challenges for franchises already navigating a packed schedule of T20 competitions. The past year has been particularly demanding for cricketers, with the T20 World Cup wrapping up just weeks ago and multiple franchise leagues adding to the physical strain. Here’s a breakdown of the injuries affecting major teams and how they will impact the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders face multiple absences, starting with Akash Deep, whose lower-back stress injury has ruled him out of the tournament. Harshit Rana, an India fast bowler, is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Matheesha Pathirana, who played in the recent T20 World Cup, will only be available from mid-April due to a calf strain. Pat Cummins, the team’s regular captain, is recovering from a lumbar stress issue and is likely to return midway through the tournament. Jack Edwards, an Australia allrounder, has been ruled out entirely due to a foot injury, while Sam Curran, an England allrounder, is also out for the season after a suspected groin problem from his World Cup participation. Josh Hazlewood, the Australia quick, will miss the initial matches of the tournament, having been sidelined for months due to hamstring and Achilles issues. Nathan Ellis, another Australia fast bowler, was ruled out after aggravating an old hamstring injury during the domestic One-Day Cup final. Mitchell Starc, a key player for the franchise, is expected to join the team at some point during the season, though Cricket Australia is monitoring his workload ahead of a busy international calendar.#ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #matheesha_pathirana #harshit_rana #akash_deep
