IPL 2026: Harshit Rana emerges for KKR…but with a big twist

New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders star pacer Harshit Rana may miss IPL 2026 as he is still recovering from knee surgery, but the youngster has made sure to support his team from the stands. The 24-year-old will be present at KKR’s match against Kings XI Punjab on Monday to cheer on his team.“Look who is here to cheer for Knight Riders tonight. Harshit Rana is in Kolkata, spending the day with his KKR family,” the franchise posted on its social media, clarifying that the youngster was in the city only to support the team and spend time with his teammates.Rana has been ruled out of IPL 2026 as he is still recovering from the knee surgery he underwent in February. KKR has brought in Indian pacer Navdeep Saini as his replacement.The injury also forced Rana to withdraw from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. On 4 February 2026, he injured his knee in a warm-up match against the South African national cricket team in Navi Mumbai and retired after bowling just one ball.He subsequently underwent surgery and was replaced by Mohammed Siraj as India eventually lifted the 2026 T20 World Cup at home.Despite the setback, Rana won the Best Men’s International Debutant award at the BCCI Awards in New Delhi last month. He attended the ceremony on crutches and IPL president Arun Singh Dhumal walked off the stage to present him with the award.

KKR enter the tournament under pressure, having lost their first two games of IPL 2026 to Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.KKR, still looking for a first point, may face an additional hurdle posed by the weather when they take on Kings XI Punjab on Monday.According to the IMD weather bulletin, there is a high possibility of rainfall affecting the match, which may result in the match being shortened.With another match against Lucknow Supergiants taking place at the same venue – which also has rain forecast – weather issues may further add to KKR’s early-season troubles.According to IMD, there has been persistent cloud cover since morning after “a trough of low pressure extends from Bihar to Manipur passing through North Bengal, Assam and Bengal”.“The weather is expected to get worse on Tuesday when the Kalbaishaki storm with winds of 50-60 kmph, lightning and rain is likely to affect Kolkata and adjoining areas.”