Cricket News, IPL 2026, Navdeep Saini, Cricket Updates
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have brought in Indian pacer Navdeep Saini as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana ahead of the ongoing IPL season. Saini joins the squad for INR 75 lakh, marking a significant return to top-level T20 cricket after a prolonged absence.
For Saini, the opportunity represents more than just a squad inclusion—it signals a fresh start. “If I have to give this opportunity another name, I will call it revival,” he said in a statement to KKR Knight Club. Reflecting on the challenges of the past few years, he added that persistence and hard work helped him stay prepared for this moment. “I saw many ups and downs in the last two-three years. But the important thing was to keep working hard… you can say this has revived me.”
Saini, who has represented India in two Tests, eight ODIs and 11 T20Is, has been out of the national setup since 2021. His IPL journey has also seen interruptions, with his last appearance coming in 2023. Over 32 IPL matches, the right-arm pacer has taken 23 wickets at an economy rate of 8.88. He has previously been part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals.
KKR have been forced into multiple changes due to injuries, having earlier signed Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for Akash Deep.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) have also made a squad adjustment, bringing in left-arm seamer Kulwant Khejroliya as a replacement for injured Prithvi Raj Yarra. Khejroliya has been signed for INR 30 lakh.
Khejroliya, who was part of the Gujarat Titans setup last season, featured in one match and returned figures of 1 for 29 in three overs. He also has prior IPL experience, having played five matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru between 2018 and 2019, and two matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023.
With injuries prompting mid-season reshuffles, teams are banking on experienced backups like Saini to deliver, as the tournament enters a crucial phase.
