IPL 2026 is set to begin under the cloud of injury concerns, with several key players either missing entirely or unable to feature in large chunks of the tournament. Even before the first pitch was thrown, teams were forced to rethink combinations.
Here is the complete list of players injured or out before the season:
Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The young Indian pacer was injured during India’s warm-up match for the 2026 T20 World Cup in Navi Mumbai on February 4 and will miss the entire season. His absence has left a void for KKR’s pace attack.
Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings)
Ellis is ruled out with a hamstring injury, a setback confirmed by CSK chief executive Kasi Viswanathan on March 19. He is expected to play a key role for the team this season, especially in the death bowling department.
Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals)
The England all-rounder struck a deal with CSK last year to join Rajasthan Royals along with Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for Sanju Samson, but he will miss the entire season due to a groin injury.
Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Edwards, a rookie who was picked in the 2026 auction for Rs 3 crore, will be completely out for the season due to a foot injury and will not be able to make his debut in the IPL.
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Cummins will miss the initial games as he is still recovering from an injury that has also ruled him out of the 2026 T20 World Cup. In his absence, Ishan Kishan will lead the team with Abhishek Sharma serving as vice-captain.
Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Hazlewood, who was a key part of RCB’s title-winning campaign last year, is still recovering from an injury that kept him out for four months. He will miss the initial phase of IPL 2026.
Rocky Ferguson (Kings XI Punjab)
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will miss the early stages of IPL 2026 for Punjab Kings. As a new father, Ferguson will prioritize spending time with his family before potentially playing the second half of the tournament with PBKS.
Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals)
Mitchell Starc will miss the start of IPL 2026, with Cricket Australia taking a cautious approach to managing the left-arm quick ahead of a demanding international schedule. Starc, one of Australia’s senior pacers, was delayed early in the game and his availability depends on the progress of return-to-play protocols in the coming weeks.
Mathisha Patilana (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The Sri Lankan pacer, who was bought for Rs 180 million, is out due to injury. While he is expected to return at some stage during the tournament, it is unclear when and if he will be available for the full season.
Matthew Short (Chennai Super Kings)
Chennai Super Kings have been dealt another shock after Nathan Ellis, with the Australian all-rounder set to miss the initial match due to a fractured thumb.
Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Eshant Malinga is out for the entire season with a shoulder injury.
Atharva Ankolekar (Mumbai Indians)
Attava missed the entire season with a knee injury.
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The IPL 2026 season will kick off on March 28 with the opening match between defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
