The IPL 2026 season is set to begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match. While anticipation builds around established stars such as MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as well as emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya and Riyan Parag, several squads have undergone changes due to injuries and player withdrawals.
Ahead of the new season, multiple franchises have been forced to adjust their line-ups, with replacements signed and key players ruled out.
Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings have been dealt a setback with Nathan Ellis ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The franchise has brought in Australian left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson as his replacement for INR 1.5 crore.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals will be without Ben Duckett, who has withdrawn from the tournament to focus on his international career after England’s Ashes defeat. Mitchell Starc is also expected to miss an unspecified period, with Cricket Australia managing his workload. The franchise has not named a replacement for Duckett.
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans have included Kulwant Khejroliya as an injury replacement for Prithviraj Yarra. The left-arm seamer joins the squad for INR 30 lakh.
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Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders have made multiple changes. Blessing Muzarabani has been added to the squad, while Saurabh Dubey and Navdeep Saini have been signed as replacements for Akash Deep and Harshit Rana respectively. Mustafizur Rahman’s contract was earlier not approved by the BCCI.
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals have replaced Sam Curran, who has been ruled out with a suspected groin injury, with Dasun Shanaka. The Sri Lankan allrounder has joined the squad for INR 2 crore.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be without Josh Hazlewood for at least the early part of the tournament. Additionally, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has been ruled out of the entire season due to personal reasons. No replacement has been announced for Hazlewood.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad have signed David Payne as a replacement for Jack Edwards, who has been ruled out with a foot injury. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins has confirmed he will miss the first half of the season.
Teams Unchanged
Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings have not made any changes to their squads ahead of IPL 2026. Further updates to team compositions are expected as the tournament progresses.
