5 players who can replace Akash Deep in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for IPL 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders have faced another setback as Akash Deep has been ruled out for at least eight weeks with a lower back injury. This means he will miss the Indian Premier League 2026 season. His injury also puts him in doubt for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.

He is likely to take around 8 to 12 weeks to recover. This is a big problem for KKR, as Harshit Rana is also unavailable for the whole season. At the same time, Matheesha Pathirana will join in mid-April and may miss the first few matches.

With these issues, KKR are now looking for new fast bowlers. Some domestic players are training with the squad, and a couple of them may get a chance. As the tournament is close, the team must quickly choose the right replacements to strengthen their bowling unit.

Here are five players who could replace Akash Deep at KKR for IPL 2026:

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1. Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini was once seen as a rising fast bowler for India, but injuries affected his career. Still, when he is fit, he can bowl very fast and trouble batters. He has taken 23 wickets in the IPL with an economy of 8.88. He has not played in the IPL since 2023, but he is now fit and doing well in domestic cricket for Delhi. He is also giving trials at Eden Gardens, so he can be a good option for KKR.

2. Akash Madhwal

Akash Madhwal is another fast bowler trying out at Eden Gardens. He has played for MI and RR in the IPL. He also holds the record for one of the best bowling figures by an Indian in the league. He can bowl in different phases of the game, including the death overs. This makes him a useful bowler in T20 cricket and a strong option for KKR.

3. Ottniel Baartman

Ottniel Baartman is a fast bowler from South Africa known for his control in the final overs. He has been praised by Keshav Maharaj for his death bowling skills.

He was the top wicket-taker in the 2026 SA20 with 20 wickets in nine matches for Paarl Royals. He also helped Sunrisers Eastern Cape win titles in 2023 and 2024.

Baartman was not picked in the IPL 2026 auction, so he is available. His experience makes him a good fit for KKR, especially for death overs.

4. Simarjeet Singh

Simarjeet Singh is already training with the KKR team. He has played for Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the 2025 Delhi Premier League, he took 20 wickets in 11 matches and finished as one of the top wicket-takers. Since he is already with the team, he can be a strong option.

5. RS Ambrish

Young player RS Ambrish had a great U19 World Cup, taking 11 wickets and becoming one of India’s top bowlers in the tournament. He also impressed with the bat in KKR’s practice match. The 18-year-old can bat lower down the order and also bowl in different phases. He is a talented player who can be useful for KKR now and in the future.