The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is on the horizon, with the opening ceremony set to dazzle on March 28. Cricket enthusiasts are gearing up for a thrilling season opener, a blockbuster clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. While franchises have strived to retain the core of their squads from the previous year, the recent mini-auction saw several high-profile player movements. However, as the tournament draws nearer, teams are facing significant setbacks with a string of injuries and player unavailability, prompting substantial adjustments to their planned playing XIs.
Several key players are now confirmed to miss matches, or even the entire season, due to various reasons including injury, workload management, and personal commitments. This presents both challenges for the franchises and opportunities for emerging talent to step into the spotlight.
Players Ruled Out of the Entire IPL 2026 Season
A number of teams will be without some of their key personnel for the duration of the IPL 2026 campaign. These absences will undoubtedly test the depth and resilience of the affected franchises.
Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders): The Kolkata Knight Riders have been dealt a substantial blow with the news that their promising fast bowler, Harshit Rana, has been ruled out of the entire tournament. Rana sustained a knee injury during his preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. He has since undergone surgery and is expected to require two to three months for a full recovery, effectively ending his IPL 2026 campaign before it could even begin.
Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals): In a significant blow for the Rajasthan Royals, who acquired Sam Curran in a trade, the all-rounder is likely to miss the entire IPL 2026 season. Curran is battling a groin injury that requires approximately two months of rehabilitation, making his participation impossible for the upcoming edition.
Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings): Chennai Super Kings will have to do without the services of their pace bowler, Nathan Ellis, for the entirety of IPL 2026. Ellis suffered a hamstring injury during his stint in the Big Bash League, an issue that unfortunately resurfaced after the T20 World Cup, forcing him out of the competition.
Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Sunrisers Hyderabad’s all-rounder, Jack Edwards, has also been ruled out of the tournament. A foot injury has sidelined the talented player, leaving a gap in SRH’s middle order and bowling attack.
Atharva Ankolekar (Mumbai Indians): Mumbai Indians have lost the services of all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar for the season. Ankolekar suffered a severe knee injury during the Ranji Trophy competition. Following surgery, his recovery period is expected to be lengthy, preventing him from participating in IPL 2026.
Adam Milne (Rajasthan Royals): Adding to the Rajasthan Royals’ woes, fast bowler Adam Milne will not be participating in IPL 2026. Milne sustained a serious hamstring injury while playing in the SA20 tournament, an injury that also led to his withdrawal from the T20 World Cup.
Players Likely to Miss a Major Part of IPL 2026
Beyond those completely out, several other players will be absent for significant portions of the tournament, forcing teams to adapt their strategies mid-season.
Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Eshan Malinga is a doubtful starter for a substantial part of the season. He picked up a shoulder injury during the T20 World Cup, and his return date remains uncertain. This means he could miss a considerable chunk of the IPL 2026 campaign.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants): The Lucknow Super Giants will be anxiously awaiting the return of their key spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga. Hasaranga sustained an injury during the T20 World Cup. While he might be available for the initial few matches, there’s also a possibility he could miss the entire season, depending on his recovery progress.
Players to Miss Initial Matches of IPL 2026
A host of prominent players will be unavailable for the opening stages of the tournament, either due to injury or planned breaks.
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad): SRH skipper Pat Cummins is currently dealing with a back injury. He is expected to miss the initial few matches of the season, with his return anticipated later in the tournament. This absence will place additional leadership responsibilities on the remaining senior players within the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad.
Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru): Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be without Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood for the first phase of the competition. Hazlewood is managing hamstring and Achilles issues and is slated to join the RCB camp in mid-April.
Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals): Delhi Capitals’ star recruit Mitchell Starc will miss the initial matches of IPL 2026 as part of a workload management strategy orchestrated by Cricket Australia. He is expected to join his franchise after a few games, ensuring he is fresh for the crucial latter stages of the tournament.
Lockie Ferguson (Punjab Kings): New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson will be unavailable for the first half of IPL 2026 due to paternal leave. He is scheduled to join the Punjab Kings squad later in the tournament, offering a significant boost to their pace attack.
Matheesha Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders): Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana will miss the opening encounter for Kolkata Knight Riders due to a calf strain. Fortunately, he is expected to make a return within the next few games, minimising his absence.
Matthew Short (Chennai Super Kings): Chennai Super Kings will have to navigate the opening matches without Matthew Short. The Australian all-rounder is currently recovering from a thumb injury and is anticipated to join the squad later in the tournament.
The current injury landscape presents a unique challenge for many IPL franchises. While some teams will face the daunting task of competing without key players for the entire season, others will need to find solutions for the initial stages. This situation, however, opens up valuable opportunities for young and emerging cricketers to showcase their talent on the grand IPL stage. Teams will be compelled to reassess their strategies and fine-tune their team compositions. Cricket fans across the nation will undoubtedly be hoping for swift recoveries for the injured stars, eager to witness the highest calibre of cricket throughout IPL 2026.
