Three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders have former Chennai Super Kings pace duo Simarjeet Singh and KM Asif on their radar along with veteran Sandeep Warrier to fill the void left by the injured Harshit Rana in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.
KKR’s pace resources have been hit hard Wounds stretched ligaments in the right kneewhich was sustained during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up against South Africa. The pacemaker underwent surgery and is currently in rehab with no firm timetable for his return. In view of Rana’s absence, think tank KKR is exploring other options.
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Simarjeet, who played for CSK (2022, 2024) and Sunrisers Hyderabad, has 11 wickets from 14 IPL games. Able to clock 140km/h and deliver sharp yorkers, the tall speedster impressed with nine wickets in 10 matches for CSK in 2022 but struggled for SRH last season, managing two wickets in four matches.
Asif and Warrier were called up for the trials during KKR’s first practice session at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, while Simarjeet impressed earlier in Mumbai during the first phase of the trials as head of scout Biju George and deputy Manvinder Bisla oversaw the process.
Asif, who rocked Mumbai with a career-best 5/24 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is known for his 140 kmph pace but has struggled. The 32-year-old made his IPL debut for CSK in 2018 and has featured sporadically since then, last appearing for Rajasthan Royals in 2023.
He has seven goals in seven games. The 34-year-old Warrier made his debut for KKR in 2019 and has since represented the franchise in three seasons apart from his stint with Gujarat Titans. He has eight wickets from 10 IPL matches.
PATHIRANA YET TO GET TRAFFIC
There is also uncertainty over the availability of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana as he is yet to get clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket. Bought for Rs 18 crore, the slinger is recovering from a calf strain sustained during the T20 World Cup against Australia where he limped off after bowling four.
“They haven’t confirmed his arrival yet. We are in constant contact and tickets are being booked and canceled for him almost every day,” a team source said.
KKR are also without left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman after he was released on a BCCI directive earlier this year, with Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani was brought in as a replacement.
ALL EYES ON MUZURABANI
Muzarabani, who grabbed 13 wickets in the T20 World Cup to become the joint second-highest wicket-taker, took a stunning 4/17 against Australia in the famous rout that saw the former champions ousted from the tournament, was the cynosure of all eyes during their first practice session of the season. Zimbabwe went international despite managing to clear 2 00 PL. RCB in 2025 as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi.
He also served as a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants during Andy Flower’s tenure. KKR still have pace options in Vaibhav Arora, Akash Deep, Kartik Tyagi and a fit again Umran Malik who was seen working on his variations.
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Published on:
March 19, 2026 09:13 IST
