IPL 2026: Top Three Replacements Of Akash Deep In The Playing XI For Kolkata Knight Riders?

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IPL 2026: The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League has not even begun, and Kolkata Knight Riders already find themselves struggling to field their best eleven due to several injuries in the bowling lineup. Akash Deep is the latest player to enter that long list.

The three-time champions are already left without the services of Harshit Rana, who has been ruled out of the entire season, while Matheesha Pathirana is set to join mid-April, missing at least the first three matches.

Now, with the absence of Akash Deep, who is out due to a back injury, KKR will be exploring options who can replace the pacer in the playing XI. Here are the top three replacements that KKR could consider in place of Akash Deep for the upcoming season.

Simarjeet Singh

Simarjeet Singh, who is currently training with the KKR squad in Kolkata, can be considered by the coaching staff to be drafted into the playing XI, given the injury to Akash Deep. Singh had previously represented the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the cash-rich league. In the last edition of the Delhi Premier League, Singh clinched 20 wickets in 11 matches.

He finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker along with Money Grewal. Grewal could also have been a good option for the Knight Riders. However, as Simarjeet is already associated with the franchise, it is unlikely that the Grewal will get a call if there is a choice between the two.

Navdeep Saini

Once tipped as one of India's rising fast-bowling prospects, Navdeep Saini has experienced a rollercoaster journey marked by injuries and inconsistent opportunities. Despite these setbacks, the right-arm pacer remains a genuine quick, capable of troubling batters with his pace when fully fit. He has picked up 23 wickets in the IPL so far, maintaining an economy rate of 8.88, although he hasn't featured in the tournament since 2023.

Encouragingly, Saini has regained fitness and is delivering solid performances for Delhi cricket team in the domestic circuit. With his renewed form, he has emerged as a potential option for Kolkata Knight Riders, especially as they look to strengthen their pace attack. Notably, he is among the bowlers attending trials at Eden Gardens, raising the possibility of a return to the IPL in the 2026 season.

RS Ambrish

Young talent RS Ambrish made a strong impression at the U19 World Cup, picking up 11 wickets to finish as India's joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He has continued that momentum into the IPL setup, delivering an eye-catching performance with the bat in Kolkata Knight Riders' first intra-squad game, which could strengthen his chances of making the final squad.

The 18-year-old all-rounder offers valuable versatility, capable of contributing useful runs in the lower order while also operating effectively with the ball during both the powerplay and middle overs. More importantly, his all-round skill set and potential make him a promising long-term asset for KKR.