IPL 2026: Full list of injured and unavailable players ahead of new season

As the IPL 2026 season is about to begin, several teams are dealing with injuries and player availability issues. Some key players will miss the start of the tournament, while a few others have been ruled out of the entire season. Here’s a look at some of the big names who are injured and unavailable ahead of IPL 2026.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Fast bowler Akash Deep has been ruled out of the tournament due to a lower-back stress injury. He was unable to recover in time before the start of the season.

Another pacer, Harshit Rana, is also expected to miss a major part of the season as he is currently recovering from knee surgery.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana will not be available at the start of the tournament. He suffered a calf strain during the recent T20 World Cup and is expected to join the team only around mid-April.

More from First Cricket

New Zealand vs South Africa LIVE Score, 4th T20: Stunning final over from Sears stops SA at 164-5 in 20 overs IPL: What was the ROI on top 5 most expensive players last season

Also Read: IPL: What was the ROI on top 5 most expensive players last season

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad are also facing some setbacks ahead of the season as their regular captain Pat Cummins is currently recovering from a back injury. He is likely to return in the middle of the tournament.

All-rounder Jack Edwards has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a foot injury. The Australian was signed for Rs 3 crore at the auction.

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will also miss a couple of important players. England all-rounder Sam Curran has been ruled out of the whole season. He is believed to have suffered a groin injury after England’s campaign in the T20 World Cup.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the first few matches of the season. He has been out of action for the last few months and is still recovering from an injury.

Also Read:  Do the richest owners actually win more titles? IPL’s relationship with wealth explained

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings will be without one of their overseas pacers at the start of the season. Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis has been ruled out due to injury concerns. As per Cricbuzz, CSK are looking to bring Ellis’ replacement from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP).

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals might not have Mitchell Starc available from the beginning of the tournament. Cricket Australia is managing his workload, so he is expected to join the team later during the season.

Fans are criticising Cricket Australia for holding back Starc despite no injury concerns. The Aussie has already retired from T20 Internationals and did not play the most recent T20 World Cup.

Quick Reads

View All

'Don’t bring BCCI administration...': Sivaramakrishnan issues clarification a day after 'colour discrimination' claim

India-Pakistan match: Deep passion, visa-free travel drives Colombo airfare spike

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings will also miss one of their key pacers early in the tournament. New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will skip the early part of IPL 2026 as he wants to spend time with his family and newborn son.