New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders have signed an agreement with Vidarbha. Saurabh Dubey As a replacement for Akash Deep for IPL 2026, according to a report by Cricbuzz. Akashdeep has been ruled out of the tournament after not recovering from a lower back strain injury in time.While Dubey has been brought in as a replacement, KKR is yet to make an official announcement. The report added that the 28-year-old has already trained at Knight Riders’ camp in Kolkata.
The Vidarbha fast bowler was earlier a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad after being picked up for Rs 20 lakh in the IPL 2022 auction, though he did not get a game and is yet to make his IPL debut.
Who is Saurabh Dubey? ?
A left-arm medium fast bowler, Dubey represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket. He has featured in eight List A matches and three T20Is, while taking 16 wickets in eight first-class games.He participated in the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a base price of Rs 30 lakh but went unsold.Dubey was also part of India’s squad for the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Bangladesh. On his List A debut against Nepal, he impressed with figures of 4 for 26 in India’s seven-wicket win and was named Man of the Match. He finished the tournament with seven wickets in three matches.
