The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is set to begin on March 28, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening match in Bengaluru. However, ahead of the much-anticipated season, several key players are dealing with injuries, putting their participation in doubt. A few stars have already been ruled out, while others are still racing against time to regain full fitness.
Here are some of the major players facing injury concerns ahead of IPL 2026.
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Matheesha Pathirana
The young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana also faces uncertainty ahead of the tournament. The speedster suffered a severe left calf strain during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup clash against Australia, which ruled him out of the rest of the competition.
Pathirana was picked in the IPL mini-auction for INR 18 crore, and fans were excited to see him in action. However, his availability for IPL 2026 remains unclear as he continues his rehabilitation.
The pacer has played 32 IPL matches for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) so far, taking 47 wickets, and has built a reputation as a lethal death-over specialist.
Harshit Rana
The Indian seam-bowling all-rounder could be a big miss for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this season. Harshit Rana suffered a knee injury during a T20 World Cup warm-up match, which forced him to miss the entire tournament.
Rana has been an important part of KKR’s bowling attack since 2022, taking 40 wickets in 32 innings. His best season came in 2024, when he picked up 19 wickets and played a crucial role in helping KKR win their third IPL title. With his ability to bowl at any stage of the game, especially during the death overs, and his growing contribution with the bat, KKR will certainly feel his absence if he fails to recover in time.
Josh Hazlewood
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was instrumental in RCB’s maiden IPL title-winning campaign in 2025. In 12 matches, he picked up 22 wickets, leading the team’s bowling attack with consistency.
However, his participation in IPL 2026 is currently uncertain due to hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries. The injuries have already kept him out of the Ashes series as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. RCB will be closely monitoring his recovery, and his participation will depend on whether he receives fitness clearance before the tournament begins.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who was bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 2 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, is another player facing a race against time.
Hasaranga suffered a severe left hamstring tear during Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland in the T20 World Cup, which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. His recovery timeline remains uncertain, leaving LSG unsure about his availability.
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In his IPL career so far, Hasaranga has played 37 matches and taken 46 wickets, including a memorable 22-wicket season in 2022 for RCB when he won the Purple Cap.
With the IPL 2026 season just around the corner, injury concerns for several key players have become a major talking point. Teams will be hoping their stars recover quickly, as the absence of these match-winners could significantly impact their campaigns. As the countdown to March 28 continues, franchises and fans alike will be keeping a close watch on the fitness updates of these players.
