Harshit Rana replacement: Ex-CSK pacer set to join KKR for IPL 2026

As per the latest revelations, Simarjeet Singh, the former Chennai Super Kings pacer, will replace Harshit Rana in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp after the Indian pacer was ruled out of the competition due to a delayed return from an injury.

Harshit Rana slowly emerged as the Kolkata Knight Riders' lead Indian pacer between 2024 and 2025. He was part of KKR's winning squad of 2024 and also picked 15 wickets in the following season for the Knight Riders.

His promising run in the IPL for the Knight Riders soon earned him a Team India call-up. He has represented India across all three formats of the game. At this young age, he has already won a Champions Trophy and an Asia Cup with India; the T20 World Cup would have added to his pile had he not been ruled out due to an injury.

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KKR announce Harshit Rana's replacement for IPL 2026

The Kolkata Knight Riders are already uncertain about their massively invested seamer, Mathisha Pathirana's participation due to an injury during the ICC T20 World Cup. However, Rana's replacement was a tough one to pick.

Harshit Rana suffered a freak injury during a warm-up match against South Africa, as a result of which Mohammad Siraj replaced him in the Indian squad for the World Cup. Now, KKR has named Simarjeet Singh, the former CSK pacer, as his replacement for the upcoming season.

The Kolkata Knight Riders management supposedly called in several bowlers, reportedly six for the bowling trials, and Simarjeet is understood to be leading the race.

NEW: Simarjeet Singh is likely to replace Harshit Rana in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for #IPL2026. #KKR had called up around six pacers for trials after Harshit was ruled out, with Simarjeet understood to be leading the race.

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) March 16, 2026

J&K's Sunil Kumar was in the race for a maiden IPL cap as Harshit Rana's replacement

Mohsin Kamal, the former Star Sports reporter, had earlier suggested that Kolkata Knight Riders could consider having the likes of Jammi & Kashmir left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar as Harshit Rana replacement in IPL 2026.

Sunil Kumar, alongside Auqib Nabi, had an equally promising season with the ball in J&K's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph this season. Though he could not be raising the speedometer high like Harshit, he had the ability to swing the ball both ways.

Moreover, it was also observed that ever since Mitchell Starc, KKR could not settle for one standard left-arm seamer, and this time, they do not have any. Sunil had formerly worked as a net bowler in the KKR camp.

How will KKR's bowling lineup look in 2026?

KKR will have Blessing Muzarabani leading the pace attack if they do not want to settle for the two New Zealand openers together at the top alongside Sunil Narine and Cameron Green. This is because Matheesha Pathirana's return ahead of the IPL doesn't seem to be possible as per the recent situation.

Akash Deep, the Indian team seamer, could act as the frontline Indian pacer in the side alongside Umran Malik, who might get his first match for the Knight Riders. Vaibhav Arora has been taking up the new ball for them over the past two seasons. Varun Chakravarthy, the World Cup winner, will remain the lead spinner for the side.

However, they would have Simrajeet Singh (if picked), Kartik Tyagi, Anukul Roy and Rachin Ravindra as the probable backups for the bowlers and the all-rounders. KKR kicks off their campaign against the Mumbai Indians on the 29th of April at the Wankhede Stadium.

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