From Harshit Rana to Mitchell Starc: Complete list of injured and unavailable players ahead of IPL 2026

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The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is just days away, but the pre-season buzz has been dampened by a massive wave of injuries and availability issues. Set to kick off on March 28, 2026, the tournament is already witnessing a shuffle of squads as several franchises scramble to find replacements for their frontline stars. From high-profile Australian pacers to rising Indian talents, the medical rooms are filling up faster than the stadiums.

For these players, the dream of lifting the IPL 2026 trophy has ended before the first ball is bowled.

Note: Mustafizur Rahman will also be unavailable for KKR due to administrative and diplomatic reasons between the BCCI and BCB, prompting the franchise to sign Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement.

Quite a few players will play for their respective franchises but not from the first game. Cricket Australia’s precautionary workload management means some of the league’s most expensive stars will miss the opening phase.

Also READ: SWOT analysis of Kolkata Knight Riders: KKR’s report card ahead of the IPL 2026

A few key names are currently in a race against time to prove their fitness for the first week.

Also READ: Former batter picks the ideal top-order of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2026