KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar reveals Harshit Rana's replacement ahead of IPL 2026
Published - 20 Mar 2026, 05:56 PM | Updated - 20 Mar 2026, 06:47 PM
Table of Contents
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just around the corner. As all teams have nearly geared up for the rich cash league. Ahead of the IPL, three-time IPL winners, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), held their first press conference ahead of their opening game against the Mumbai Indians on March 29, at the Wankhede Stadium.
Head coach Abhishek Nayar, Assistant coach Shane Watson, mentor Dwayne Bravo, and captain Ajinkya Rahane were present at the press conference. During the press conference, head coach Abhishek Nayar revealed whether KKR would be picking any replacement for Harshit Rana ahead of the IPL 2026.
KKR head coach provides update on Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana was ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to ligament strain in his right knee during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa. He has undergone surgery and was seen using a support while walking during the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Naman Awards.
"Firstly, it’s a big blow because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last few seasons. All these years, he has grown into a good cricketer. We’ll always miss Harshit Rana, and it’s not easy to replace him," Nayar told the media on Friday in Kolkata.
The decision will be made soon- Abhishek Nayar
"Having said that, we have looked at a few bowlers over the past few days. We are trying to evaluate, with the help of our leadership group, who fits in and who can play that role to the best of their abilities. So we are still evaluating that and have yet to make that decision. But hopefully, we can identify who can make a difference," he added.
Nayar also stated that the KKR pacer is currently at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and an announcement regarding his replacement is likely to be made within the next couple of days after assessing the bowlers who are on trial at the Eden Gardens and might feature in the first practice match for the side today. He further said, "The decision will be made soon, maybe in a couple of days."
Harshit Rana's IPL record for KKR
Harshit Rana has been one of the premier bowlers for the Knights in the last few seasons, especially in the middle and death overs. His slower balls and cutters have been effective. He has been an integral part of the KKR setup, and due to his amazing performances in the IPL, he has been an all-format player for India as well.
Harshit Rana has played 34 games for the Purple and Gold, picking up 40 wickets for the franchise. His best season was back in 2024, when the Knights won their first title as he picked 19 wickets in that IPL edition.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 34 | 649 | 1029 | 40 | 3/24 | 25.73 | 9.51 | 16.23 | 0 | 0 |
KKR also provided an update on Matheesha Pathirana, who is still rehabbing from the hamstring injury as he is set to join the squad around mid-April. The Knights will be looking for a winning start in their first game.
Also Read: Venkatesh Iyer becomes headache for Virat Kohli and RCB ahead of IPL 2026
About the Author
I (Anirban Bose) am a creative Social Media Manager and Sports Journalist with hands-on experience i...
