Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to rope in pacer Simarjeet Singh as a replacement for injured fast bowler Harshit Rana ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, KSportsWatch.com has learned exclusively.
Sources close to the developments said the franchise recently conducted trials for several fast bowlers after Rana was ruled out of the tournament. Around six pacers were invited to showcase their skills during the assessment process.
Among those who attended the trials, Simarjeet is understood to have emerged as the leading contender to fill the vacant slot in the squad. While an official announcement from the franchise is still awaited, the right-arm seamer is currently at the front of the queue as KKR finalise their replacement.
Rana’s absence has forced the Kolkata-based franchise to reshuffle their pace options ahead of the season. The young quick had been expected to play a key role in the side’s bowling attack after impressive performances in recent outings.
Simarjeet, who has previous IPL experience with CSK and SRH, is known for his ability to bowl at high speeds and hit hard lengths. He impressed the KKR support staff during the trials. His familiarity with franchise environments and T20 cricket is believed to have strengthened his case.
KKR management is expected to take a final call soon as teams look to lock in their squads before the start of IPL 2026.
