Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have handed Navdeep Saini a much-awaited return to the IPL, signing him as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana ahead of the 2026 season. The fast bowler joins the squad for INR 75 lakh, marking his first IPL appearance since 2023.
Saini, who has represented India across all formats with two Tests, eight ODIs, and 11 T20Is, has been out of the national setup since 2021. His IPL journey has seen him feature for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, picking up 23 wickets in 32 matches. However, injuries and inconsistent opportunities had stalled his career in recent years.
Reflecting on his comeback, Saini described the opportunity as a “revival,” highlighting the perseverance required to stay ready despite setbacks. “I saw many ups and downs in the last two-three years, but I kept working hard,” he said, expressing confidence in making the most of this second chance.
KKR have been forced into multiple changes due to injuries, having earlier signed Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for Akash Deep. Saini’s addition brings experience and pace to their bowling attack as they look to strengthen their squad depth.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) have also made a replacement signing, bringing in Kulwant Khejroliya for injured left-arm seamer Prithvi Raj Yarra. Khejroliya joins for INR 30 lakh and returns to a familiar setup, having been part of the GT squad last season.
Khejroliya has previously played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and KKR, and adds valuable left-arm variation to Gujarat’s pace options. Though opportunities have been limited, he remains a handy squad player capable of stepping up when required.
Both franchises will hope their replacement signings provide timely impact as the tournament approaches.
