Rohan Umak
IPL 2026 Akash Deep exit: Woes refuse to ease for three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the commencement of the 2026 edition. After losing promising pacer Harshit Rana earlier, another fast bowler, Akash Deep has also been ruled out of the entire tournament.
Deep’s injury adds to KKR concerns
Akash Deep, who was picked up by the franchise for Rs 1 crore at the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi in 2025, has been sidelined due to a stress reaction in his lower back. The injury, which requires six to twelve weeks of recovery, afflicted Akash during his appearance for Bengal in the Ranji trophy semi-final against Jammu and Kashmir in February 2026. The pacer was also absent from the KKR’s pre-season camp, which kicked off on March 18 in Kolkata. He did not feature in the intra-squad practice match either. An officer privy to the franchise confirmed his unavailability for the tournament, adding that he is yet to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for rehabilitation.
IPL 2026 Akash Deep exit: KKR’s pace attack under pressure
With two pacers bowing out of the tournament, KKR’s fast-bowling department now appears depleted. The current pace options for the franchise include Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Blessing Muzarabani and Kartik Tyagi, assisted by all-rounders Cameron Green and Ramandeep Singh. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana is also awaiting clearance from his national board after sustaining an injury to his shoulder during the T20 World Cup 2026, further compounding the team’s troubles.
Replacement hunt underway
With injuries sitting on KKR’s multiple players, the team has set trials in motion at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to scout replacements. Players like Navdeep Saini, Akash Madhwal, Simarjeet Singh, Sandeep Warrier, KM Asif and Sunil Kumar have been attending sessions in a bid to fill the voids.
KKR to lock horns with Mumbai Indians first
Despite the mounting setbacks, KKR will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29, 2026. With their pace unit under strain, the franchise is racing against time to regroup before the tournament begins.
