Last Updated on 4 weeks ago by Charbel Coorey
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face a tricky start to the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, especially on the bowling front.
Harshit Rana is out of the tournament due to injury, while Matheesha Pathirana is yet to receive an NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket as he must pass a Physical Performance Test following the hamstring injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup. He will miss the early stages of the campaign.
In another blow, Akash Deep was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, though it remains unclear exactly what the issue is. “Unfortunately, he is out of the IPL, ruled out for the season,” said a KKR official, as reported by cricbuzz.
KKR also have decisions to make on their four overseas players. Here is a look at the possible 11 they may start with this season.
KKR possible 11 for IPL 2026: Is there room for both Finn Allen and Tim Seifert?
1. Tim Seifert/Finn Allen (OS, wk), 2. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 3. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 4. Cameron Green (OS), 5. Rahul Tripathi/Anukul Roy, 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Ramandeep Singh, 8. Sunil Narine (OS), 9 Umran Malik, 10 Vaibhav Arora, 11 Blessing Muzarabani/Anrich Nortje (OS), 12 Varun Chakravarthy
KKR face a conundrum. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are one of the most destructive opening combinations in T20 cricket, but there may be room for only one depending on whether KKR opt to play an overseas pace bowler.
If KKR choose both, the three-time champions may opt to play three domestic frontline seamers depending on replacements for their injured players. Cameron Green, purchased for a record overseas sum, will surely make the first XI given the investment in the all-rounder. Sunil Narine is expected to be the other overseas option.
Also, the question if both Allen and Seifert play is where Ajinkya Rahane bats. The skipper would then move to three, pushing Green and Angkrish Raghuvanshi at least one spot down the order. This may not serve the team’s best interests as both prefer to bat in the top four.
KKR kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on Sunday March 29.
