Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is scheduled to start from March 28. Only the schedule for the first 20 games has been released by the IPL governing body and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will play the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). However, many franchises are facing injury and availability problems before the IPL. Some players are not fit yet and some players are facing travel problems due to the war in the Middle East.
IPL 2026 Live Injury Updates: Latest News Today
In this article, we are going to provide the latest updates on players who are doubtful for the IPL, cricketers who have been ruled out of the competition, and also players who are currently unable to travel due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood confirmed to miss opening matches for SRH, RCB
Tuesday, March 17 [6:45 PM]: :
According to a recent report by Cricbuzz, Josh Hazlewood is going to miss the first two matches of the IPL. The Australian fast bowler will miss the opening game against SRH and the next game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 5.
Pat Cummins is also reported to miss a few IPL matches by Cricbuzz, as the SRH skipper will definitely miss the opening game against RCB.
Pat Cummins’ IPL 2026 start in doubt
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins is not fully fit after suffering a back injury ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy last year. Although he played in the third Ashes Test against England, he had recovered from a lumbar strain injury.
However, after that he is still not fit to play. According to reports, Cummins may miss the initial matches of IPL. Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma are the frontrunners to lead the SRH team.
Josh Hazlewood’s IPL 2026 debut in doubt
Josh Hazlewood is doubtful for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s IPL 2026 first round matches as he continues to recover from hamstring and Achilles problems. Having missed the 2025-26 Ashes and the 2026 T20 World Cup, he is recovering and requires final medical clearance.
KKR to announce Harshit Rana’s replacement
Harshit Rana, who underwent knee surgery after getting injured during the T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa. He has been ruled out of the IPL, and according to reports, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may replace him with SRH fast bowler Simarjeet Singh.
However, reports from Cricbuzz suggest that the management is not looking for any replacement and will be working with Indian fast bowlers like Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi and Akash Deep.
Mathisha Pathirana’s manager gives update on fast bowler’s availability
Mathisha Pathirana, who was picked by KKR for Rs 18 crore, suffered a hamstring injury on February 16 during the T20 World Cup 2026. He has almost completed his recovery. On Monday, the pacer’s manager posted a picture of the player in KKR colors on Twitter (formerly Twitter), confirming his participation in the IPL season.
Matt Short is recovering from a thumb fracture
Australian all-rounder Matthew Short has suffered a thumb fracture and it is doubtful that he will play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. However, as per the report by ESPN, he is set to join the CSK camp and is still expected to take part in the upcoming IPL.
Wanindu Hasaranga doubtful to play in IPL
Wanindu Hasaranga’s playing in IPL has become doubtful. The Sri Lankan spinner has spent most of the time out due to various injuries. He was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at base price. However, according to reports, he suffered a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup and will miss the IPL.
Ishan Malinga doubtful to play in IPL
Sri Lanka’s Ishan Malinga is highly doubtful to play in IPL 2026, as he has not recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered against England in February 2026. The young bowler has been a part of SRH in the IPL and may miss the entire tournament.
Players from South Africa and West Indies are also doubtful about playing in IPL.
Players of West Indies and South Africa faced travel related problems during the T20 World Cup. He had traveled back only a few weeks ago due to temporary airspace restrictions due to the Middle East conflict and transit hubs like Dubai and Doha. Rising prices and limited flights could complicate travel plans for teams and franchises, making it difficult for foreign players to reach India in time for the IPL.
These are the West Indies players in IPL 2026
Romario Shepherd (RCB), Shimron Hetmyer (RR), Sherfane Rutherford (MI), Jason Holder (GT), and Akeal Hosein (CSK).
Here are the South African players in IPL 2026
Anrich Nortje (LSG), Quinton de Kock (MI), David Miller (DC), Lungi Ngidi (DC), Aiden Markram (LSG), Ryan Rickelton (MI), Corbin Bosch (MI), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Dewald Brewis (CSK), Tristan Stubbs (DC).
Atharva Ankolekar ruled out of IPL 2026
Mumbai Indians left-arm spin all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar has been ruled out of IPL 2026 after suffering a serious knee injury and requiring surgery, according to the Times of India. The 25-year-old player suffered the injury during a Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad in January 2026.
Blessing Muzarabani has replaced Mustafizur Rahman.
Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has replaced Mustafizur Rahman in IPL 2026. The Chevron fast bowler has left the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and will join the KKR camp. The former has been rewarded with an IPL contract after his amazing T20 World Cup 2006.
Mustafizur Rahman ruled out of IPL 2026
Mustafizur Rahman, who was picked by KKR at a whopping price of Rs 9.20, has been ruled out of the 2026 IPL after the BCCI directed the management to release the player due to the rising geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh. So he was signed to the PSL after being dropped from the world’s toughest T20 league.
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