Another setback for KKR: Akash Deep ruled out of IPL 2026

Merely a week ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, three-time title-holders Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered another major setback to their pace attack with India fast bowler Akash Deep ruled out of the tournament.

According to sources within the KKR set-up, the 29-year-old Bengal pacer will miss the entire season. Akash, who was bought by the franchise at his base price of Rs 1 crore during last year’s mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, has not joined the team’s training camp here, which began on March 18.

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It is understood that the pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, although the exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed. Reports suggest that the Centre’s medical staff have been in communication with the franchise regarding the player’s status.

Akash has struggled with injuries throughout his career, which has often limited his availability for both India and his IPL teams. Since making his IPL debut in 2022, he has played only 14 matches across four seasons, taking 10 wickets.

Last season, he was part of Lucknow Super Giants, who had signed him for Rs 8 crore at the 2025 auction before releasing him after just one season.

With Akash now unavailable, KKR may be forced to look for a replacement. The franchise had earlier been undecided about signing a substitute for Harshit Rana, who was ruled out before the start of the camp after undergoing knee surgery.

KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar had on Friday hinted at the possibility of a replacement signing earlier, likely aware of the uncertainty around Akash’s availability.

“Hopefully soon, in a couple of days I think. Obviously Harshit is with the BCCI at the CoE. Once we get an update the medical team will communicate to us. We’ll try to evaluate what we are picking before we make the announcement. (We) will take us a few more days, most probably before we leave for Mumbai,” Nayar said.

Akash Deep’s absence has only further compounded KKR’s bowling concerns. The franchise had made a significant investment in Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, signing him for Rs 18 crore, but he is still awaiting a No Objection Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket.

At present, the franchise’s Indian pace options include Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi. The team management could also rely on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a few overs if required.

However, KKR team mentor Dwayne Bravo insisted that it has enough depth to cope with the setbacks. “In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are not things you plan for, but these are things you have to accept,” Bravo said on Friday.

“The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, there’s a lot of depth. There’re the likes of Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora… they are young, exciting talents. We lost some key players, but I feel comfortable to know that we have what it takes to replace those guys. From a bowling point of view, I think we will be fine,” he said.

KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign with an away match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.