Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have named Navdeep Saini as a replacement for injured pacer Harshit Rana, who has been ruled out of the IPL 2026 season due to a right knee ligament injury sustained during a T20 World Cup warm-up match.
KKR’s pace attack has taken a further hit with Akash Deep and Matheesha Pathirana also sidelined due to injuries, adding to the team’s concerns ahead of the season.
Raw pace added to the Knights’ arsenal
Glad to have you join us, Navdeep ⚡ pic.twitter.com/KODibQJpqb
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 25, 2026
Saini, who has previously represented Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, joins KKR for ₹75 lakh. The right-arm pacer has picked up 23 wickets in 32 IPL matches and has also claimed 23 wickets in international cricket for India.
Confirming the development, the Indian Premier League stated that both KKR and Gujarat Titans have signed replacements, with Kulwant Khejroliya joining GT.
Reacting to his inclusion, Saini expressed both excitement and disbelief at the opportunity:
“To be honest, I am feeling very good because the way we say Kolkata Knight Riders, if you have to explain this to a person, there is a feeling in it. So, I am feeling very good as a Knight Rider. I got to know about this last night. As soon as I got to know about this, I was not able to understand how to react.”
He further reflected on his journey and called the opportunity a turning point in his career:
“Because I knew that the way I am working hard and the way it is going on now, there was a plan from before, it was manifested, to be honest, the reality. So, I knew that it would happen anytime. But it is very important to have faith in God. So, I did the same thing, and as it happened, I enjoyed it a lot.”
“If I give another name to this opportunity, I can call it a revival. Because the way my last 2-3 years journey was, there were ups and downs. But at that time, the most important thing was to stand there. To be honest, doing hard work… I didn’t leave that. So, because of that, I got this opportunity. So, I can call it a revival.”
The Saini Express has arrived right on time
Welcome to KKR – can’t wait to get started, Navdeep bhai pic.twitter.com/ibW531RzDM
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 25, 2026
With multiple injuries affecting their pace attack, KKR will hope Saini can step up and make an impact in IPL 2026.