IPL 2026: Top 3 best Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowlers to watch out for this season

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will once again have Sunil Narine leading their bowling attack in IPL 2026. After finishing eighth last season, the Knights are determined to bounce back and aim for their fourth IPL title.

Injuries and last-minute changes have created some uncertainty in the squad, leaving fans guessing about the final team combination. However, based on current form and team balance, a few players look likely to play regularly, while one spot remains open for selection options.

Ajinkya Rahane will captain the side again, facing the challenge of managing injuries and inexperience in the bowling department. Harshit Rana, a long-time member of the KKR squad, will miss the tournament, while Matheesha Pathirana is expected to be unavailable for the first few games due to a hamstring injury sustained during the T20 World Cup.

To strengthen their pace attack, KKR has signed Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. He joins as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who was released after the IPL 2026 auction at the request of the BCCI.

Despite these changes, KKR’s bowling lineup remains formidable, capable of challenging even the strongest batting units in the tournament. With a combination of experience, skill, and strategic leadership, fans can expect some exciting performances this season.

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Here are the top three bowlers to watch in the KKR squad:

3. Blessing Muzarabani

Before joining KKR, Blessing Muzarabani was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad in IPL 2025 as a replacement player, although he did not play any matches.

He comes into IPL 2026 on the back of a strong performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where he took 13 wickets in 6 matches. He played a key role in helping Zimbabwe reach the Super 8 stage, including wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage.

The 6 feet 8 inches right-arm fast bowler has established himself as one of Zimbabwe’s leading pace bowlers in T20 cricket. He is known for his steep bounce and ability to strike at crucial moments in the game.

Muzarabani brings valuable T20 experience, having taken over 90 wickets in more than 80 T20 Internationals at an average of around 21, with best figures of 3/8. His pace, consistency, and experience in global leagues and international cricket add significant depth to KKR’s bowling attack for the upcoming season.

2. Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy has been in excellent form over the last two IPL seasons. He has taken many wickets and troubled some of the best batters in the world with his mystery spin.

However, in the last IPL, the Tamil Nadu spinner was not at his very best. While he finished as one of the joint-highest wicket-takers, he gave away too many runs toward the end of the tournament. Chakaravarthy relied heavily on googlies and did not vary his pace enough. KKR fans will hope he comes back strong and performs at his best in IPL 2026.

1. Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine has been the most reliable bowler for KKR for many seasons. He has remained consistent over the years, even after making changes to his bowling action.

Opposition teams rarely target Narine. He bowls economical spells, building pressure on batters. Batters often look to attack other bowlers, giving Narine chances to take wickets. With Andre Russell taking a coaching role this season, Narine is the most experienced player on the field and will be expected to guide and inspire the younger bowlers while making a strong impact in IPL 2026.