Injuries and player unavailability has interrupted the leadup to the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With the tournament to begin on March 28, franchises are now formulating their plan B’s with a number of squad changes.
IPL 2026: Injured players by franchise
- Chennai Super Kings
- Delhi Capitals
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Punjab Kings
- Rajasthan Royals
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
Chennai Super Kings
In a huge blow for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Nathan Ellis is set to be ruled out of the entire tournament. According to cricket.com.au, the pace bowler reaggravated a hamstring injury in the recent Australia One Day Cup Final playing for Tasmania against New South Wales.
Now, CSK are seeking a replacement player, as per cricbuzz.
Delhi Capitals
Mitchell Starc will miss the start of IPL 2026. According to cricket.com.au, Cricket Australia (CA) is taking a cautious approach with the left-arm fast bowler as Australia are set to play up to 21 Tests between August 2026 and August 2027.
How many games Starc will miss depends on CA’s return-to-play protocols over the next few weeks.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Matheesha Pathirana suffered a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s win over Australia in the recent T20 World Cup. However, the fast bowler is expected to feature in the IPL, but KKR will assess his readiness before their tournament opener.
This comes as welcome news for KKR as Harshit Rana was previously ruled out due to a knee injury. The three-time champions are currently seeking a replacement, with the likes of Simarjeet Singh and Sandeep Warrier in the mix according to News Karnataka.
Punjab Kings
Lockie Ferguson will miss the early stages of IPL 2026 to spend time with his family. He and his wife welcomed a newborn son recently, and Ferguson wishes to be home to assist.
“Just had a wee son, trying to spend as much time as I can at home and help the wife out,” Ferguson said before the third T20I against South Africa, as quoted by The Hindu. “I’ll have a few weeks off after this, before sort of heading to the later stages of the IPL and away for the winter.”
Rajasthan Royals
The Royals have been dealt a blow with Sam Curran likely to be ruled out of the IPL due to a groin injury. Curran has had a busy year in T20s already, leading Desert Vipers to the UAE ILT20 title in January. He then joined Sydney Sixers for a few matches in the BBL before embarking on national duty, including the recent T20 World Cup.
Eyes are also on Adam Milne’s recovery from a hamstring injury he suffered during the SA20. The fast bowler was subsequently ruled out of the T20 World Cup.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Defending champions RCB are sweating on the fitness of Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood, who played a crucial part on their title-winning season, has now entered a fifth month of rehabilitation after picking up hamstring and achilles injuries during the Australian summer. He will miss at least the early part of the IPL season and is subject to CA’s return-to-play protocols in the coming weeks.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH have been hit significantly with Jack Edwards ruled out of the tournament due to a foot injury, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. It is a blow for Edwards who performed well in the BBL 2025/26 season, taking 19 wickets in 13 games for the Sydney Sixers.
Also, captain Pat Cummins, like Hazlewood and Starc, will miss the early stages of the tournament. Cummins continues to manage a back stress injury that saw him feature in just one of the five Ashes Tests over the summer. He then missed the T20 World Cup.
It remains to be seen if Eshan Malinga will be fit to feature. The Sri Lankan missed the T20 World Cup due to a shoulder injury.
