IPL 2026: Key Players Set to Miss Matches – Big Blow for Teams!

The much-awaited IPL 2026 season is just days away, with all ten franchises gearing up for an intense tournament. However, several teams have already suffered early setbacks as key players are set to miss matches due to injuries. Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins will be unavailable for a few games due to a back injury, handing leadership responsibilities to Ishan in his absence. Similarly, Royal Challengers Bengaluru face uncertainty as Josh Hazlewood continues to recover from an ankle injury, with no clarity on his return timeline.

Kolkata Knight Riders have been dealt a double blow, as all-rounder Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury, while Matheesha Pathirana is also likely to miss initial matches as he regains fitness. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants’ star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is struggling with an ankle issue and is expected to sit out a few games. These absences could significantly impact team combinations and performance in the early phase of the tournament.