Three-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have selected Navdeep Saini to replace the injured Harshit Rana for the upcoming IPL 2026. Rana sustained a ligament strain in his right knee during the T20 World Cup, weakening KKR’s bowling lineup. Additionally, Akash Deep and Matheesha Pathirana are also sidelined due to injuries.
Navdeep Saini, a right-arm pacer, has previously played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The IPL announced that Saini, with 23 wickets in 32 IPL matches and 23 wickets in international cricket for India, will step in for Rana at a price of Rs 75 lakh.
In a statement, the IPL confirmed that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) have chosen Navdeep Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya, respectively, as player replacements for IPL 2026. Saini expressed his excitement about joining KKR, emphasizing the significance of being a part of the team.
Kulwant Khejroliya, a left-arm pacer with 6 IPL wickets to his credit, has previously played for GT, KKR, and RCB. He will be joining Gujarat Titans for Rs 30 lakh.
