Harshit Rana and Mustafizur Rahman (photo agency) NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders have found themselves in a lot of trouble ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The team first lost Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the franchise to drop him from the team.KKR bought Mustafizur for Rs 9.20 crore during the auction after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. The team hoped that the experienced left-arm pacer would strengthen their bowling attack.
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However, the move sparked controversy amid political tension, prompting the BCCI to intervene.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board had asked KKR to release the player due to the sensitive situation surrounding the signing of the contract.
Harshit Rana is an injury concern
KKR then suffered another setback with young Indian pacer Harshit Rana. His participation in IPL 2026 is uncertain after he appeared on crutches during the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 in Mumbai.Rana was supposed to receive the award for Best International Debut (Men) but was unable to walk on stage due to his injury, prompting Arun Dhumal to step down and present him with the award.The fast bowler later underwent a knee surgery on February 9 and is expected to need two to three months to recuperate, raising doubts over whether he will be fit for the upcoming IPL season. His eventual absence could dampen the tempo of KKR’s attack, where he has played an important role in recent years.
Possible reinforcement with Matheesha Pathirana
Despite the setbacks, there may be some positive news for KKR. The player’s agent Amila Kalugalage recently posted a ‘fencing person’ emoji on X, which many believe indicates good news regarding Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.Matheesha Pathirana sustained an injury while playing for the Sri Lanka national cricket team during the 2026 Men’s World T20 Cup, forcing him to miss the rest of the tournament and raising doubts over his availability for the 2026 Indian Premier League. Temper took two wickets in three matches with an economy of 6.05 before being dropped. However, this post confirms that he may be fully recovered and ready to play and is expected to play a key role in the pace attack of Kolkata Knight Riders.KKR also added Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a backup option. Replacing Rana’s role, especially in the crucial death overs, could still be a challenge for the team as they prepare for the new season.
