Kolkata Knight Riders : The injury troubles continue to mount for Kolkata Knight Riders as fast bowler Akash Deep has been ruled out of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The pacer is dealing with lower back pain, which has forced him to step away from competitive cricket for the time being.
Recovery Timeline Raises National Team Doubts
According to sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Akash Deep is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks, with recovery potentially stretching up to 10–12 weeks. This timeline puts his participation in India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team in serious doubt.
Struggles Visible in Last Appearance
The 29-year-old last featured in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, representing his state side. Even then, he appeared far from full fitness, managing limited overs across both innings. His condition has reportedly worsened since, leading to a prolonged rehabilitation phase.
Rehab at BCCI Centre of Excellence
Akash Deep has been undergoing recovery at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He also missed KKR’s recent training camp, which began earlier this week, signaling that his return is not imminent. Medical staff are taking a cautious approach to ensure full recovery, especially given the recurring nature of the injury.
KKR’s Bowling Unit Takes a Hit
KKR’s pace attack now looks significantly weakened, with multiple key players sidelined. Alongside Akash Deep, Indian pacer Harshit Rana and Sri Lankan recruit Matheesha Pathirana are also unavailable.
Team Looks for Backup Options
With their frontline bowlers missing, KKR will have to rely on alternatives like Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, and the returning Umran Malik to shoulder the responsibility in the pace department.