Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed Navdeep Saini as the replacement for Harshit Rana, who will miss the entire IPL 2026 season following a recent knee injury. The right-arm pacer, formerly played for RCB and RR, joins KKR for INR 75 lakh. Saini has taken 23 wickets in 32 IPL matches so far and has also claimed 23 wickets in international cricket, bringing firepower to the KKR bowling attack. His inclusion aims to bolster the pace department and provide a steady option for the franchise, as they have suffered an injury crisis in the camp.
Kulwant Khejroliya has been signed for INR 30 lakh. (X Image)
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Meanwhile, Harshit had established himself as a vital part of KKR’s pace attack, contributing significantly to their 2024 title-winning campaign with 19 wickets. The franchise backed him by retaining him for INR 4 crore last season, and he continued his strong form, adding 15 more wickets while representing KKR, cementing his role as a key strike bowler.
On being named KKR’s replacement for Harshit, Saini called it a moment of personal revival, saying he was overwhelmed by the news and highlighting the hard work and persistence that have carried him through the ups and downs of the past few years.
“When I came to know about it last night, I didn’t know how to react. I have been working hard and manifested it. It’s a revival for me as I have gone through ups and downs in the last two-three years,” said Saini.
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Earlier, KKR roped in left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for an injured Akash Deep ahead of the next season. Uncapped in the IPL, Saurabh has been wicketless in his three T20 appearances and has not played full-fledged competitive cricket for almost two and a half years at the senior level.
GT sign Kulwant Khejroliya
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Earlier, KKR roped in left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for an injured Akash Deep ahead of the next season. Uncapped in the IPL, Saurabh has been wicketless in his three T20 appearances and has not played full-fledged competitive cricket for almost two and a half years at the senior level.
GT sign Kulwant Khejroliya
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Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans have brought in Kulwant Khejroliya as a replacement for the injured Prithviraj Yarra. The left-arm pacer, who has picked up six wickets in the IPL so far, brings experience from his previous stints with GT, KKR, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He has been signed for INR 30 lakh and is expected to strengthen the Titans’ pace attack. With Yarra sidelined, Khejroliya’s inclusion adds depth and variety to the bowling line-up as the team looks to maintain their competitive edge in IPL 2026.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/KKR replace Harshit Rana with former RCB pacer, Gujarat Titans rope in Kulwant Khejroliya as replacement player
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