India national cricket team fast bowler Harshit Rana’s availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season is uncertain after the fast bowler was seen using crutches during the BCCI Naman Awards 2026. Rana attended the ceremony in Mumbai but was unable to walk onto the stage to receive his award for Best International Debut (Men’s). Arun Dhumal instead stepped down from the stage to present the award to the young pacer. A video of Rana arriving at the event on crutches circulated widely on social media, raising concerns about his recovery ahead of the new IPL season.

Rana sustained a knee injury during a warm-up match before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa national cricket team earlier this year. The injury ruled him out of the tournament, with Mohammed Siraj named as his replacement in India’s squad.

According to the reports, the fast bowler later underwent knee surgery in Mumbai on Feb. 9 and is expected to take two to three months to recover, casting doubt over his participation in IPL 2026. His absence would be a setback for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he has been a key part of the pace attack in recent seasons. The franchise has already faced uncertainty over other bowlers, including Matheesha Pathirana, who is dealing with fitness concerns. Kolkata has added Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement option, but the team could still face challenges replacing Rana’s role, particularly in the death overs.