IPL 2026: KKR to replace Akashdeep with a left-arm pacer

Ray Sports Web Desk: Ahead of the 2026 IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders are facing consecutive setbacks. First it was Mustafizur Rahman, and now Akash Deep. Following a legal notice from the BCCI, KKR released Mustafizur from the squad and opted for Blessing Muzarabani as his replacement. However, their search for reinforcements does not end there, as Akash Deep has now been ruled out of the IPL due to a severe injury. Sources confirm that another left-arm pacer is set to join the KKR squad as his replacement.
Due to his injury, Akash Deep will not be able to feature for KKR in the 2026 IPL. According to sources, the Kolkata team management has been keeping an eye on Saurav Dubey from Vidarbha. Although he has not made his IPL debut, he does have prior experience with franchise cricket. In the 2022 IPL, he secured a spot with Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20 lakh, where he shared the dressing room with Pat Cummins and other renowned pacers. In the 2026 IPL auction, his base price was ₹30 lakh, but he went unsold. Following Akash Deep’s injury, Dubey has now been drafted into the KKR squad.
In 2019, Dubey also represented India in the Emerging Asia Cup. He took 4 wickets for 26 runs against Nepal and was named Player of the Match in his first game. Over the course of the tournament, he picked up 7 wickets in three matches. On the domestic front, he is a familiar name, currently representing Vidarbha. In 8 matches, he has already taken 16 wickets, making him a valuable prospect for the team. His inclusion could address another concern for KKR, as the team has been short of a left-arm pacer since Mustafizur Rahman’s departure.
According to sources, Kolkata Knight Riders are yet to finalise a replacement for Harshit Rana and are also awaiting confirmation regarding Matheesha Pathirana’s fitness. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board is yet to declare Pathirana fully fit. If the medical clearance comes by Tuesday, KKR could breathe a sigh of relief.
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