Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana has reportedly been ruled out of IPL 2026. The right-arm pacer injured his knee during a warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. He was subsequently ruled out of the ICC event and was replaced by Mohammed Siraj.

As per a report in The Times of India, Rana underwent surgery in Mumbai on February 9. However, he is unlikely to recover in time to represent the Kolkata franchise in IPL 2026. The 24-year-old fast bowler was a key member of the KKR squad that won the IPL in 2024. In 13 matches, he claimed 19 wickets at an average of 20.15 and an economy rate of 9.08, with a best of 3-24.

The TOI report added that KKR are yet to decide on a replacement for Rana and are backing the likes of Akash Deep, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi to grab the opportunities that come their way.

Following his success with KKR in the IPL, Rana was fast-tracked into the Indian team. There were some question marks over him being picked for all three formats initially. However, the youngster has gradually made his mark, particularly in the white-ball formats.

In 14 one-day matches, the right-arm fast bowler has claimed 26 wickets at an average of 27.38 and an economy rate of 6.21, with a best of 4-39. He has also contributed 124 runs with the willow at a strike rate of 121.56, with a best of 52. In T20Is, he has claimed nine scalps in nine matches at an economy rate of 10.60.

Rana has featured in only two Tests so far, having made his debut during the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. In two Tests, the fast bowler has picked up four wickets at an average of 50.75, with best innings figures of 3-48.

Harshit Rana’s record for KKR in the IPL

Having made his IPL debut for KKR in the 2022 season, Rana has played 34 matches for the franchise in the T20 league. The right-arm fast bowler has picked up 40 wickets at an average of 25.72 and an economy rate of 9.51. In the 2025 season, he claimed 15 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 29.86 and an economy rate of 10.18, with a best of 3-25.