KKR suffers big loss before IPL 2026, Akash Deep’s injury forces him out of the tournament…

By Samira Vishwas On Mar 21, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has suffered another major injury blow. Indian pacer Akash Deep may be out of IPL 2026 due to a lower back stress injury. This information was given by ESPNcricinfo on Saturday.

Let us tell you, it may take up to three months for Akash Deep to recover. His last competitive match was against Jammu and Kashmir during the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy in February. Akash Deep had a stellar season for Bengal this season, taking 22 wickets at an average of 27.13 in six matches, including one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul.

This injury is another big blow to the fast bowling department of KKR, as earlier Indian pacer Harshit Rana was also almost out of the team due to his injury. Apart from this, Sri Lankan pacer Mathisha Pathirana will also miss the first half of the tournament due to injury. Last season, KKR had bought Mathisha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore, but his absence has left the team’s bowling line-up lacking international experience.

Now KKR has Vaibhav Arora, who has formed a pace partnership with Harshit Rana in the last few seasons. The team has also included Bangladesh’s star bowler Blessing Muzarabani (who has been brought in in place of Mustafizur Rahman) in its pace line-up. Apart from this, young pacers Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi can also play an important role in the fast bowling attack of KKR.

KKR also have Cameron Green as a seam-bowling all-rounder option, but he is prone to injury and may need workload management.

Additionally, before the tournament KKR lost the services of Mustafizur Rahman on the instructions of BCCI when they released him from the team in view of minority atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Now the team is conducting trials to find an Indian fast bowler to replace Rana, so that its pace attack can be strengthened before the new season.

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