KKR rope in Navdeep Saini as Harshit Rana replacement

KKR rope in Navdeep Saini as Harshit Rana replacement

Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in fast bowler Navdeep Saini as Harshit Rana's replacement for IPL 2026. Rana, who missed the recent T20 World Cup with injury, has been ruled out of the IPL.

Saini earned his first IPL contract with Delhi Capitals in 2017 but did not play a game that season. For Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019, he featured in 13 games and took 11 wickets. He played the next two seasons for RCB before moving to Rajasthan Royals, where he played four games across two seasons. Saini, who has 23 IPL wickets, has also played for India in all formats.

Gujarat Titans have replaced Prithviraj Yarra with Kulwant Khejroliya. The Madhya Pradesh fast bowler previously played for RCB in 2019, KKR in 2023, and one game for GT last year.

KKR begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on March 29. GT start against last year's runners-up Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 31.