KKR worry mounts as another pacer faces fitness concerns ahead of IPL 2026

Tension is mounting for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) because of another pacer ahead of the IPL 2026 season. After Mustafizur Rahman, it is now Umran Malik who has been causing trouble for the multi-time IPL title-winning franchise.

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer, who was once noticed for generating sheer pace, and represented Team India as well, made a horror return in the DY Patil T20 Cup. In a single over of the Tata Sports Club vs Mumbai Customs match, the pacer conceded 36 runs.

 Interestingly, 36 runs from an over did not come from six consecutive 6s, but because of multiple no-balls, which hinted at a lack of control on the deliveries. Umran Malik, who can generate raw pace, is yet to master controlling line and lengths over his deliveries.

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KKR is in trouble because of Umran Malik's off form

Mumbai Customs' Rugved More and Sachin Yadav, in a combined effort, clinched 36 runs from an over of Umran Malik, who is set to feature for KKR in the upcoming Indian Premier League. Because of three no-balls and one wide, the batters got the opportunity to accumulate as many runs as possible. In another over of the same match, the seamer leaked 23 runs. In 2 overs, Malik offered 59 runs in total as he smashed six 6s, four 4s accompanied by three no-balls and a couple of wides.

The snub of Mustafizur Rahman was enough to dent KKR's plan ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Now, Umran Malik added another reason for the team management to get worried before the campaign. Along with Malik, KKR's bowling line-up has been constructed around the prominent pacers like Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, and Matheesha Pathirana. Akash Deep.