IPL 2026 Injured Players List of All Teams

The IPL 2026 opener between RCB and SRH is just days away. Most squads are ready, but several teams will start without key names.

Injuries have hit hard this season. Some players will miss a few games. Others won’t play at all.

From fast bowlers with torn hamstrings to all-rounders recovering from surgery, the casualty list is long.

A few big names like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will join late. Others, like Harshit Rana, won’t be seen this year.

For fans planning their fantasy teams or tracking squad changes, this is the full breakdown.

IPL 2026 Injured Players List of All Teams

Which Players Are Ruled Out for IPL 2026?

Fifteen players across all franchises won’t be available when the tournament starts on March 28.

Some injuries happened during the T20 World Cup.

Others occurred in domestic leagues like the BBL or Ranji Trophy.

A handful of players are managing workload after a packed international schedule.

KKR lost two pacers before the first ball was bowled. RR will be without two overseas stars.

CSK, SRH, and RCB are all dealing with gaps in their bowling attacks.

Players Who Will Miss IPL 2026 Entirely

• Harshit Rana (KKR) tore his knee during a warm-up match against South Africa in February. He had surgery soon after. Doctors said recovery will take two to three months. KKR bought him, expecting him to lead their pace attack. Instead, they’ll need to rely on backups from day one.
• Sam Curran (RR) joined Rajasthan in a trade deal that sent Sanju Samson to CSK. But Curran picked up a groin injury that needs two months of rest. He won’t play a single game this season.
• Nathan Ellis (CSK) hurt his hamstring in the BBL back in January. He played through pain during the T20 World Cup, but the injury got worse after the tournament. CSK retained him at INR 2 crore. They won’t see him on the field.
• Jack Edwards (SRH) was bought for INR 3 crore at the auction. A foot injury has ruled him out completely. SRH will miss his middle-order batting.
• Atharva Ankolekar (MI) went down hard in January during a Ranji Trophy match. He twisted his knee while diving to stop a boundary. Surgery followed. The rehab timeline stretches beyond IPL 2026. Mumbai paid INR 30 lakh for him, but he won’t be available.
• Eshan Malinga (SRH) dislocated his shoulder during the T20 World Cup. The injury forced him out of the tournament. His recovery period is unclear, but reports suggest he’ll miss the entire IPL season.
• Adam Milne (RR) tore his left hamstring badly while playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20. The injury also kept him out of the T20 World Cup. RR will need to find another overseas pacer.
• Akash Deep (KKR) became the latest name on this list. A recent report confirmed he’ll miss the full season. KKR bought him at the auction, but he was ruled out before the tournament even began.

IPL 2026 Injured Players Full List of All Teams

Not every injured player is out for the season. Some will miss only the opening phase. Others are being monitored closely and could return mid-tournament.

Players Missing Opening Matches Only

• Pat Cummins (SRH) has been dealing with a back injury since July last year. He returned briefly for one Ashes match, but the problem came back. He’ll miss SRH’s first few games but is expected to join the squad soon. As captain, his absence will be felt early.
• Josh Hazlewood (RCB) has been out with hamstring and Achilles problems for months. He missed the Ashes and the T20 World Cup. RCB expects him to arrive in mid-April. Until then, they’ll need to manage without one of their lead pacers.
• Mitchell Starc (DC) isn’t injured. Cricket Australia is managing his workload ahead of a long Test schedule. He’ll skip Delhi’s opening games and join later. DC will have to wait for their marquee bowler.
• Lockie Ferguson (PBKS) is on paternity leave after the birth of his child. He’ll miss the first half of the tournament but should be available for the back end. Punjab will need their other pacers to step up early.
• Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) hurt his calf during the T20 World Cup in a match against Australia. He’ll miss KKR’s first game against MI but should be ready for the second match against SRH.
• Wanindu Hasaranga (LSG) pulled his hamstring in the T20 World Cup opener against Ireland. He was ruled out of the tournament. LSG expects him to miss the first few games, but there’s a chance he could be out for the full season if the injury doesn’t heal properly.
• Matthew Short (CSK) is recovering from a thumb injury. He’s expected to report to the squad on March 22 but will need more time before he’s match-ready. CSK will likely rest him for the opening games.

What does this mean for Fantasy Cricket?

If you’re building a Dream11 team for the opening week, cross these names off your list. Don’t waste credits on players who won’t take the field.

For captaincy choices, avoid teams with major injury gaps. SRH without Cummins in the first few games means less bowling firepower.

RCB without Hazlewood leaves them light on experience. KKR losing both Harshit Rana and Akash Deep hurts their death bowling options.

Track updates closely. Players like Hazlewood and Starc could return mid-season. When they do, their fantasy value will spike. But in the opening rounds, stick with fully fit squads.

Expert Insight: Injury Impact on Team Balance

Injuries don’t just take away individual players. They mess with team combinations.

SRH built their strategy around Cummins leading the pace attack.

Without him early, they’ll need to shuffle the bowling order. Who takes the new ball? Who bowls at the death?

RCB’s opening game is on March 28 against SRH. Both teams will be missing key players.

That changes how captains approach the powerplay.

If the pitch has early movement, neither side has its first-choice seamer ready. It might push teams toward spinners or all-rounders who wouldn’t normally start.

KKR’s situation is worse. Losing Harshit Rana and Akash Deep in one go removes depth.

If another bowler picks up a niggle mid-tournament, they’ll be scrambling. Franchises plan for one or two injuries. Three or four? That’s when backup options get tested hard.

For fans, it adds unpredictability. A team that looks strong on paper might struggle early.

A weaker squad with everyone fit could surprise people. That’s part of what makes the IPL interesting. But it’s frustrating when injuries pile up before the first ball is bowled.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which player will miss the entire IPL 2026?

Harshit Rana, Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, Jack Edwards, Atharva Ankolekar, Eshan Malinga, Adam Milne, and Akash Deep are all ruled out for the full season.

• Will Pat Cummins play in IPL 2026?

Yes, but not from the start. He’ll miss SRH’s first few games due to a back injury. He’s expected to join the squad once he’s fully recovered.

• Why is Mitchell Starc missing Delhi Capitals’ opening matches?

Starc isn’t injured. Cricket Australia is managing his workload ahead of a busy Test schedule. He’ll join DC after the first phase.

• Is Wanindu Hasaranga playing in IPL 2026?

It’s unclear. He hurt his hamstring during the T20 World Cup. LSG expects him to miss the initial games, but there’s a chance the injury could keep him out for the entire tournament.

• Who is replacing the injured players?

Each team will use their auction backups and uncapped domestic players. KKR, for example, will rely on their other pacers to fill the gaps left by Harshit Rana and Akash Deep.

Final Thoughts

IPL 2026 hasn’t started yet, but the injury list already reads like a team sheet.

Fifteen players across all franchises won’t be available when RCB and SRH walk out on March 28. Some will return mid-season. Others won’t play at all.

For teams, it’s a test of squad depth. For fans, it’s a reminder that the best-laid plans don’t always survive.

You build a fantasy team around Pat Cummins, and he’s not there for the first two weeks.

You expect RCB to have Hazlewood steaming in, but he’s still rehabbing in Australia.

Cricket schedules are packed. Players are breaking down more often.

The IPL 2026 injured players list shows how much the game demands from athletes.

Recovery timelines don’t wait for tournament schedules. Sometimes the season starts without you.

Also Check:

• KKR Coaching Staff List for IPL 2026
• IPL 2026 Venues
• IPL 2026 Schedul
• Afghanistan Players in IPL 2026
• IPL 2026 Sponsors List

About the Author

Karan

Administrator

Visit Website View All Posts