As the countdown to IPL 2026 begins, the excitement is being overshadowed by a growing medical room. Several franchises are facing high-stakes dilemmas as five of the league’s most expensive and influential stars struggle with fitness, threatening to keep them on the sidelines for part – or all – of the tournament.
1. Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Injury: Right Knee Ligament Strain (Surgery)
Status: Likely Ruled Out for the entire season.
Impact: The rising Indian pacer, who was a revelation in previous seasons, sustained the injury during a T20 World Cup warm-up against South Africa. KKR has already begun looking for replacements, recently signing Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani as cover.
2. Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Injury: Back Stress
Status: Set to miss the first half of the season.
Impact: In a massive blow to SRH’s leadership, the franchise has confirmed that Cummins will miss the initial phase. In his absence, Ishan Kishan has been named the stand-in captain, with Abhishek Sharma as his deputy.
3. Matheesha Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Injury: Left Leg Calf Strain
Status: Doubtful for the opening games.
Impact: Bought for a whopping ₹18 Crore, the “Baby Malinga” is currently in rehabilitation. While KKR is optimistic he will return for the second half of the tournament, his absence at the start leaves a massive hole in their death-bowling department.
4. Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Injury: Hamstring and Achilles Tendon
Status: Likely to miss at least the first two weeks.
Impact: The Australian spearhead is still awaiting medical clearance from Cricket Australia. RCB fans will likely have to wait until mid-April to see the pacer who was instrumental in their 2025 title run.
5. Wanindu Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants)
Injury: Chronic Hamstring Issue
Status: Highly Doubtful for the start of the season.
Impact: After missing the T20 World Cup, the Sri Lankan wizard’s recovery has been slow. LSG has already brought in West Indian spinner Gudakesh Motie as a backup, fearing Hasaranga may spend a significant time on the bench.
