IPL 2026 squads have been updated ahead of the season opener on March 28, with several franchises announcing injury setbacks and replacement signings. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first match, but multiple teams have already reshuffled their lineups due to fitness concerns.
The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to begin this weekend, but injuries have forced teams to make last-minute adjustments. From Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling reshuffle to Chennai Super Kings’ overseas replacement, franchises are working quickly to maintain balance in their squads.
Major Injury Updates And Replacements
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
• Harshit Rana ruled out with a ligament injury.
• Navdeep Saini signed as replacement.
• Akash Deep and Matheesha Pathirana also sidelined.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
• Nathan Ellis unavailable due to injury.
• Spencer Johnson brought in as replacement.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
• Captain Pat Cummins likely to miss the first phase.
Other Teams
• Several players across franchises will miss initial matches due to recovery or personal reasons.
• Mini-auction signings from December 2025 are expected to play key roles.
Key Highlights
• IPL 2026 begins March 28 with RCB vs SRH
• KKR signs Navdeep Saini as Harshit Rana’s replacement
• CSK ropes in Spencer Johnson for Nathan Ellis
• SRH captain Pat Cummins to miss early matches
• Multiple injuries across franchises prompt squad reshuffles
Sources: Khel Now, The Indian Express, India.com