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 Select Saurabh Dubey as Akash Deep Replacement Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed the signing of left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Dubey for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, replacing Akash Deep, who has been ruled out of the tournament. The 28-year-old pacer, who previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, will join the franchise ahead of the season’s start on March 28. Dubey’s inclusion comes after he was left unsold at the Abu Dhabi mini-auction in December 2025 and was listed at No. 1215 in the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) with a base price of INR 30 lakh. Dubey’s recruitment was confirmed by a KKR official, who noted that the franchise has not yet decided on a replacement for Harshit Rana, another player ruled out for the season. Rana, who has represented India in all formats, is also absent, and the franchise has expressed difficulty finding a suitable Indian replacement for him. Dubey, who was signed by SRH in 2022 but missed most of the season due to injury, has not made his IPL debut yet. The decision to bring in Dubey was praised by Subroto Banerjee, a national selector and cricket analyst, who highlighted Dubey’s potential. Banerjee recalled Dubey’s participation in the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup under Rahul Dravid and described him as a “very talented left-arm fast bowler” capable of generating extra bounce and swinging the ball both ways. Banerjee also mentioned that Dubey has already joined the KKR camp in Kolkata, indicating his readiness for the season. Dubey’s most recent domestic appearances were with Vidarbha in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy. His inclusion in the IPL squad underscores KKR’s strategy to bolster their bowling options ahead of the tournament.#ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #saurabh_dubey #akkash_deep #board_of_control_for_cricket_in_india
