KKR’s Harshit Rana (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) All-rounder Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. Rana injured his knee during the warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai ahead of the T20 World Cup and has since missed the match. The 24-year-old underwent an operation in Mumbai on February 9 but will not recover in time to play for KKR in the cash-rich league.Rana played a key role in KKR’s title-winning campaign in 2024, returning with 19 wickets to help him become a regular for India across formats. Retained by the franchise for Rs 4 crore ahead of the 2025 season, he picked up 15 wickets in the 13 matches he played.
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It is clear that KKR are yet to decide on a replacement for the all-rounder and expect the likes of Akash Deep, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi to make the most of the opportunities that come their way. “Unfortunately, Harshit Rana will not be available but it gives an opportunity to the other bowlers in the team – Vaibhav, Umran, Kartik and Akash – to step up and seize the opportunity. No replacement has been decided yet,” a source following the development told TimesofIndia.com.There is also no clarity on the participation of Matheesha Pathirana, who was injured during the T20 World Cup and is currently recovering. Earlier on Friday, the franchise signed Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani.The 6ft 8 right-handed pacer has developed into one of Zimbabwe’s leading bowlers in the shortest format, known for generating steep bounces and taking wickets during key stages of the innings.Muzarabani brings considerable experience in T20 cricket, having taken more than 90 wickets in more than 80 T20 internationals at an impressive average of around 21. His best bowling figures in the format are 3/8.Muzarabani is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on March 17 to join the KKR squad and begin preparations for the 2026 campaign.
