Chennai Super Kings Lose Key Fast Bowler Nathan Ellis Ahead of IPL 2026 Chennai Super Kings face a significant setback ahead of the IPL 2026 season as fast bowler Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the competition due to a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old Australian, acquired for ₹2 crore in the 2025 auction, is expected to miss the tournament entirely as he will not recover in time. The team’s CEO, K.S. Viswanathan, expressed disappointment over the loss, emphasizing Ellis’s importance as a key bowler, particularly in the death overs. He confirmed the team is exploring replacement options to fill the void left by the injury. Viswanathan made the announcement during an event to unveil Kauvery Hospitals as an official partner of the franchise. The hospital’s medical team, including Dr. Iyappan Ponnuswamy, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, and Dr. S. Sivaram Kannan, was present at the event. The absence of Ellis could prompt a major shift in the team’s strategy, especially since the squad has relied heavily on Matheesha Pathirana as a death-overs specialist since 2022. However, Pathirana was released after a lackluster performance in the previous season. Viswanathan also addressed the status of foreign recruits, stating they will join the team’s camp in the coming days. Despite the recent West Asia crisis, which disrupted major airline hubs in the UAE and Qatar, the team’s overseas players have not faced significant travel disruptions. Noor Ahmad has already arrived in the city, while Jamie Overton joined on Thursday. Other key signings, including Dewald Brevis, Matt Henry, Zak Foulkes, and Matthew Short, are set to arrive by March 22, with Akeal Hosein joining on March 25.#chennai_super_kings #matheesha_pathirana #kauvery_hospitals #nathan_ellis #k_s_viswanathan
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
Chennai Super Kings face a significant challenge as Nathan Ellis is ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury, leaving a critical gap in their bowling lineup. The Australian pacer, who had been expected to bolster the team’s death-overs strategy, is unlikely to recover in time for the tournament, according to CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan. His absence compounds the team’s difficulties following the departure of Matheesha Pathirana, who joined Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-profile transfer worth INR 18 crore. Viswanathan acknowledged the setback, stating that Ellis was a vital asset, particularly in the final overs of matches. “It is a big blow for us. Ellis is a crucial bowler, especially in the death overs. We are looking at replacements,” he told Sportstar. The team is now considering options to fill the void, with Matt Henry, a New Zealand pacer known for his new-ball effectiveness, likely to step into the playing XI. However, Henry’s IPL record has been inconsistent, with only one wicket in four games for Lucknow Super Giants in 2024 at an economy rate of 9.16. His struggles with death-bowling could pose a challenge for CSK’s strategy. Another potential replacement under consideration is England’s Jamie Overton, though analysts note he lacks the impact of Pathirana, who was a key performer for CSK in previous seasons. The team’s focus on all-rounders and untested players adds uncertainty, as they aim to rebuild their squad for the tournament. Chennai’s IPL 2026 campaign kicks off on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, followed by matches against Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals on April 3, 5, and 11, respectively.#chennai_super_kings #kolkata_knight_riders #matheesha_pathirana #nathan_ellis #kasi_viswanathan
Injured Harshit Rana Misses IPL 2026 as KKR Faces Pace Attack Challenges Harshit Rana, the fast bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is expected to miss the upcoming IPL 2026 after sustaining a significant knee injury during a T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa earlier this year. The injury, which required surgery on February 9, has ruled him out of India’s T20 World Cup campaign, with Mohammed Siraj called up as his replacement in the squad. Rana’s absence will further strain KKR’s pace attack, which already faces challenges due to the departure of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman and ongoing fitness concerns for Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana. Rana played a pivotal role in KKR’s 2024 title-winning campaign, taking 19 wickets in the tournament, which solidified his position as a key player for both the franchise and the Indian national team. His performances across formats earned him a retention deal of Rs 4 crore for the 2025 season, during which he claimed 15 wickets in 13 matches. However, his injury has left a void in KKR’s bowling department, as the team scrambles to find replacements. While Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been signed as a potential option, the franchise’s pace attack now includes Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, and Akash Deep. Without Rana’s experience, the unit may appear less formidable heading into IPL 2026. The injury also highlights the broader challenges KKR faces in maintaining a competitive edge. Mustafizur Rahman, who was a key part of the team’s success in previous seasons, is no longer in the squad, leaving the franchise to rely on younger, less tested options. Pathirana’s fitness issues further complicate matters, as his potential inclusion could have provided balance to the pace attack.#kolkata_knight_riders #mustafizur_rahman #matheesha_pathirana #harshit_rana #mohammed_siraj
KKR not seeking replacements for Harshit Rana, Matheesha Pathirana Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed they will not seek replacements for Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana for the 2026 Indian Premier League, though the reasons for both players’ absences differ. Rana, who was withdrawn from India’s T20 World Cup squad at the last minute due to a knee injury, will miss the IPL season as he requires further recovery after recent surgery. The pacer, who had become a key asset for the franchise in recent years, took 19 wickets in 2024 and 15 in 2025, while also adding batting depth to his game. KKR management stated they have enough pace-bowling options in their squad, which already includes four Indian pacers: Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, and Akash Deep. They also noted there is no obvious Indian replacement for Rana, given his role in the team. Pathirana, a member of Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad, was replaced due to injury but is expected to return for KKR at some point during the IPL. The franchise, which acquired him for INR 18 crore, remains hopeful he will be available for part of the season. His manager recently shared a photo of the player in KKR colors, signaling optimism about his participation. Unlike Rana, Pathirana’s absence is seen as temporary, with the team believing he will be fit to contribute. The situation has drawn comparisons to Blessing Muzarabani, who joined KKR in place of Mustafizur Rahman, who was released by the BCCI. Muzarabani, who was initially set to play for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, faced similar scrutiny as Corbin Bosch, who left the PSL to join the IPL in 2023. While the PCB banned Bosch for a year, Muzarabani’s case is considered different as he had not signed a formal contract with Islamabad United.#kolkata_knight_riders #indian_premier_league #matheesha_pathirana #harshit_rana #kkr_management
Harshit Rana Out for IPL 2026, KKR Seeks Replacement Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2026 season due to a knee injury sustained during T20 World Cup warm-up matches. The injury, which occurred while representing India, has forced the Delhi-based player to miss both the global tournament and the IPL. India replaced Rana with Mohammed Siraj, who made a strong debut with a three-wicket haul in the opening game against the USA. Rana’s absence is a significant blow to KKR, as the team had planned for him to handle the death overs following Andre Russell’s retirement. The squad is now actively seeking a replacement to fill the void. On Friday, KKR announced the signing of Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who will replace Mustafizur Rahman, who was released in accordance with BCCI guidelines. Compounding KKR’s challenges, Matheesha Pathirana, a high-profile acquisition for INR 18 crore, is also doubtful. The Sri Lankan pace bowler was ruled out of the T20 World Cup and has a history of injury issues, which led to his previous release by Chennai Super Kings. His fitness remains uncertain, leaving the team without a reliable option to address their middle-overs and death-over struggles. KKR management has not yet provided updates on Pathirana’s status, further complicating their preparations. The team’s management is reportedly working to secure a bowler with similar skills to Rana, capable of performing in the critical middle and death overs. In addition to Rana’s injury, KKR’s schedule for IPL 2026 has been revealed. The team will open their campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 29 at Wankhede Stadium.#kolkata_knight_riders #matheesha_pathirana #harshit_rana #mohammed_siraj #blessing_muzarabani
Huge blow! Harshit Rana ruled out of IPL 2026; KKR yet to decide replacement All-rounder Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a knee injury sustained during a warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai ahead of the T20 World Cup. The 24-year-old underwent surgery on February 9 but will not be fit in time to participate in the league. Rana’s absence marks a significant setback for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who relied heavily on his contributions during their 2024 title-winning campaign. The left-handed bowler took 19 wickets in that season, becoming a key player for India across formats. His performance earned him a retention deal of Rs 4 crore for the 2025 season, where he claimed 15 wickets in 13 matches. KKR has yet to finalize a replacement for Rana, with players like Akash Deep, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, and Kartik Tyagi being considered for the role. A source close to the franchise noted that the team is giving these bowlers an opportunity to step up and fill the void left by Rana’s absence. However, there is still no clarity on the participation of Matheesha Pathirana, who also suffered an injury during the T20 World Cup and is currently recovering. In an effort to bolster their pace attack, KKR has signed Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. The 6 ft 8 in pacer, known for his ability to generate steep bounce and take wickets in crucial moments, brings valuable experience to the squad. Muzarabani has taken over 90 wickets in more than 80 T20 Internationals at an average of around 21, with his best figures in the format being 3/8. He is set to join the KKR squad in Kolkata on March 17 to prepare for the 2026 season.#ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #harshit_rana #navi_mumbai #matheesha_pathirana
