List of all players who will miss IPL 2026 due to injuries & other reasons

IPL 2026 will commence on March 28 with the opening game between RCB and SRH.

With just a few days left for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, all the teams are finalising their preparation for the tournament. The IPL 2026 will begin on March 28 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in tournament opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

While many teams retained core members in their squad, some franchises bought a few big names in the IPL 2026 mini-auction last year. All the teams have finalised their squads but a few players, as per various reports, will entirely or partially miss the tournament due to injuries and other reasons Below is the complete list of all such players.

List of players to miss IPL 2026 partially or entirely, as per reports

1. Harshit Rana (KKR) – Knee injury

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a big blow as their star pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a knee injury. The right-arm pacer was injured last month, just ahead of T20 World Cup 2026, during a warm-up clash against South Africa. He underwent surgery recently and will need two to three months to return to the field.

2. Sam Curran (RR)- Groin injury

Sam Curran has joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2026 after parting ways with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In a trade deal between both teams, Curran and Ravindra Jadeja joined RR in exchange for Sanju Samson. Due to a groin injury, Curran will need two months for recovery and will miss IPL 2026.

3. Nathan Ellis (CSK) – Hamstring injury

Nathan Ellis was retained by CSK at INR 2 crore. The Australian pacer has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. He sustained the injury during Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 in January. He played for Australia in T20 World Cup 2026; however, the injury reoccurred after the tournament.

4. Jack Edwards (SRH) – Foot injury

Jack Edwards is part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026 and was bought for INR 3 crore in IPL 2026 auction. Due to a foot injury, he has been ruled out of the entire tournament.

5. Atharva Ankolekar (MI)- Knee injury

All-rounder Atharva Ankolekar was picked by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 30 lakh in IPL 2026 auction. In January, he sustained a serious knee injury while playing for Mumbai in a clash against Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy. He twisted his knee while trying to save a boundary and was sent off the field. He subsequently underwent surgery and will need a long rehabilitation period.

6. Eshan Malinga (SRH) – Shoulder injury

Sri Lanka pacer Eshan Malinga suffered a shoulder dislocation during T20 World Cup 2026 in February. The injury forced him out of the tournament. His participation in IPL 2026 is doubtful as he might need a long recovery period.

7. Adam Milne (RR)- Hamstring

Adam Milne was captured by Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the mini-auction. The New Zealand pacer sustained a severe torn in his left hamstring in January while playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20 2025-26. He was also ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026.

8. Pat Cummins (SRH) – Back Injury (first few games)

SRH captain Pat Cummins has not recovered from his back injury and will miss the first few games in IPL 2026. The Australian pacer sustained the injury in July last year and made a short return in The Ashes 2025-26, where he played one match. The injury also sidelined him from T20 World Cup.

9. Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – Hamstring and Achilles injuries (first phase)

Josh Hazlewood has been recovering from hamstring and Achilles injuries for the last few months. The issue also ruled him out of The Ashes and T20 World Cup. Hazlewood is expected to join the RCB squad in mid-April.

10. Mitchell Starc (DC) – Workload management (first phase)

Mitchell Starc’s arrival in IPL 2026 has been delayed due to his workload management. Cricket Australia (CA) is monitoring his workload ahead of the lengthy forthcoming test schedule. He will miss the initial games of Delhi Capitals (DC).

11. Lockie Ferguson (PBKS) – Personal reason (first half)

Lockie Ferguson will miss the opening phase of IPL 2026 due to paternity leave following the birth of his child. The New Zealand pacer is expected to join the squad in the latter half of the tournament.

12. Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) – Calf strain (first game)

Matheesha Pathirana was picked by KKR in the mini-auction; however, he is set to miss the first game against Mumbai Indians due to a calf strain. He will join the squad for the second game against SRH at home. He sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s clash against Australia during T20 World Cup 2026.

13. Wanindu Hasaranga (LSG) – Hamstring injury (initial games)

Wanindu Hasaranga sustained a hamstring injury in the opening clash against Ireland in T20 World Cup last month. Due to the injury, he was also ruled out of the campaign. The Sri Lankan all-rounder is expected to miss the first few games as of now but there are chances that he might miss the entire tournament.

14. Matthew Short (CSK)- Thumb injury (opening games)

Matthew Short is currently recovering from a thumb injury and is expected to miss the start of IPL 2026. He is expected to report to the squad on March 22 but will need time to return to the field.

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