IPL 2026: Kolkata found Harshit Rana’s replacement, added an experienced IPL bowler overnight

By Samira Vishwas On Mar 26, 2026

KKR IPL 2026: IPL 2026 is going to start from March 28, but before that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has suffered a big blow. The team’s young fast bowler Harshit Rana is out of the entire tournament due to injury. This has affected the bowling unit of the team, but the franchise has soon found his replacement.

Navdeep Saini got a chance

In place of Harshit Rana, KKR has included experienced fast bowler Navdeep Saini in the team. 33-year-old Saini has troubled the batsmen with his pace in the IPL before. However, he did not find any buyer in the recent auction. He remained unsold in the mini auction in IPL 2025 and before, but now KKR has given him a big chance.

Raw pace added to the Knights’ arsenal💜🔥
Glad to have you join us, Navdeep. pic.twitter.com/KODibQJpqb
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 25, 2026

A look at IPL career

Navdeep Saini started his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the year 2019, he performed brilliantly and took 11 wickets, which has been his best season so far. After this he was also a part of Rajasthan Royals. Till now Saini has played 32 IPL matches, in which he has taken 23 wickets. His economy has been 8.83. He is known for his fast pace and bouncers, which makes him a bowler who can change the course of the match at any time.

Bowling attack will get strength

This change is considered important for KKR, because the team was already struggling with injuries to fast bowlers. With the arrival of Saini, the team has a good combination of both experience and speed. The team management will hope that Saini will take advantage of his experience and make an impact in the initial matches and strengthen the bowling attack.

read this also: The biggest good news for Mumbai Indians fans, final update on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness.

KKR’s squad is as follows:

This season, the captaincy of KKR is in the hands of Ajinkya Rahane. The team has match-winning players like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakraborty and Andre Russell. Apart from this, players like Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Rahul Tripathi and Rachin Ravindra make the team stronger. With the entry of Navdeep Saini, KKR’s squad looks more balanced, who can challenge for the title this season.