Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders star pacer Harshit Rana may miss IPL 2026 due to his ongoing recovery from knee surgery, but the youngster has made sure to support his team from the stands. The 24-year-old will be present at the KKR vs Punjab Kings clash on Monday, cheering for his side.“Look who’s here to cheer for the Knights tonight. Harshit Rana is in Kolkata, to spend a day with his KKR Family,” the franchise posted on its social media handles, clarifying that the youngster is in the city only to support the team and spend time with his teammates.Rana had already been ruled out of IPL 2026 as he continues his recovery from knee surgery he underwent in February. KKR brought in India pacer Navdeep Saini as his replacement in the squad.The injury also forced Rana out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He sustained the knee injury during a warm-up match against South Africa national cricket team in Navi Mumbai on February 4, 2026, pulling out after bowling just one over.He subsequently underwent surgery and was replaced by Mohammed Siraj, as India went on to lift the 2026 T20 World Cup at home.Despite the setback, Rana was honoured with the Best Men’s International Debutant award at the BCCI Awards last month in New Delhi. He attended the ceremony on crutches, with IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal stepping down from the stage to present him the award.
KKR head into the contest under pressure, having lost their opening two matches of IPL 2026 against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.Still searching for their first points, KKR could face an additional hurdle from the weather when they take on Punjab Kings on Monday.As per the IMD weather bulletin, there is a strong chance of rain affecting the match, which could result in a shortened contest.With another fixture against Lucknow Super Giants at the same venue — a match that also carries a rain forecast — weather concerns could further add to KKR’s early-season troubles.There has been persistent cloud cover since morning following a “low-pressure trough stretching from Bihar to Manipur, passing over North Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh”, according to the IMD.“The state is likely to witness another round of Kalbaishakhi storms, with the possibility of hail and thunderstorms from Sunday through Thursday. The intensity and spread of rainfall are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday,” the IMD said.“The weather is expected to turn more severe on Tuesday, when Kalbaishakhi storms accompanied by winds of 50-60 kmph, lightning and rain are likely to impact Kolkata and adjoining areas.”
