The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have reportedly suffered a body blow as pacer Harshit Rana has likely been ruled out of IPL 2026. The reason for Rana not playing in the tournament is that he is yet to recover from the surgery that he underwent recently that ruled him out of T20 World Cup 2026.
Why did Harshit Rana undergo surgery?
The 24-year-old right-arm pacer had to undergo surgery for the injury sustained in his right knee during the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Hence, he had to undergo surgery, resulting in Mohammed Siraj taking up his spot for the 20-team tournament. Rana played a vital role in the Knight Riders’ title victory in 2024 when he finished with 19 wickets in 13 scalps to end up as the fifth-highest wicket-taker of the tournament and the second most for their side. But the Delhi-born cricketer struggled a touch in IPL 2025, taking 15 wickets in 13 matches while maintaining an economy rate of 10.18.
According to The Times of India, the Knight Riders are weighing in on a replacement.
Blessing Muzarabani sealed as Mustafizur Rahman as Kolkata Knight Riders’ ahead of IPL 2026
Nevertheless, the three-time champions have zeroed in on Zimbabwe’s towering pacer Blessing Muzarabani as Mustafizur Rahman’s replacement for them. In early January, KKR had released an official statement on releasing the Bangladeshi left-arm seamer, citing ‘recent developments’ seemingly hinting at the geopolitical developments across the region. Rahman was notably paid a hefty sum of ₹9.2 crore in the auction. The development followed a chain of other massive developments as Bangladesh banned IPL broadcast following the row.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Muzarabani’s outing in T20 World Cup 2026 is something that made him a hot prospect as he finished the marquee tournament with 13 scalps in six games, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker. Kolkata endured a forgettable season in 2025 as they failed to reach the playoffs, managing only five wins and seven defeats in 12 games, thereby finishing at the eighth spot.
