Three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have enlisted Vidarbha’s left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Dubey to fill in for the injured Indian pacer Akash Deep, who is out of the IPL 2026 due to a lumbar stress injury.
In another development, English cricketer David Payne has stepped in for the injured Australian player Jack Edwards in the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad. Payne, with experience in 233 T20 matches and 304 wickets, has only played one ODI for England.
Akash Deep, a right-arm pacer with 10 Tests and 28 wickets for India, will miss the season due to a lumbar stress injury. Saurabh Dubey, a left-arm pacer, will take his place at KKR for INR 30 Lakh, as per the IPL’s official statement.
Dubey, previously signed by SRH in 2022 but sidelined by a back injury, was included in the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) after going unsold in the last year’s mini-auction. He has yet to debut in the IPL, having played eight List A matches and three T20 games for Vidarbha.
