Saini eyes IPL comeback after 2023, calling it a “revival” opportunity; Gujarat Titans sign Khejroliya as injury replacement for Prithvi Raj Yarra

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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have brought in Indian pacer Navdeep Saini as a replacement for Harshit Rana, marking a significant return for the fast bowler in IPL 2026. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) have signed left-arm seamer Kulwant Khejroliya in place of injured Prithvi Raj Yarra, strengthening their bowling unit mid-season.

Navdeep Saini, who last featured in the IPL in 2023, sees this opportunity as a fresh start in his career. The 31-year-old has represented India in two Tests, eight ODIs, and 11 T20Is but has been out of the national setup since 2021. Despite facing a challenging phase over the past few years, Saini emphasized the importance of perseverance and hard work in earning this comeback.

“If I have to give this opportunity another name, I will call it revival,” Saini said. “The last two-three years had many ups and downs, but I kept working hard. That belief has brought me back.”

Saini has previously played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL. Across 32 matches, he has taken 23 wickets with an economy rate of 8.88. His addition adds experience and pace depth to the KKR squad, which had earlier signed Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for injured Akash Deep.

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans have opted for Kulwant Khejroliya as a like-for-like replacement for Prithvi Raj Yarra. The left-arm pacer joins GT for INR 30 lakh and brings prior experience with the franchise, having been part of the squad last season.

Khejroliya has featured in IPL stints with RCB and KKR as well. He has played five matches for RCB between 2018 and 2019 and two for KKR in 2023. During his previous outing with GT, he picked up one wicket, returning figures of 1 for 29 in three overs.

These mid-season changes reflect how franchises are actively managing injuries and squad depth as IPL 2026 intensifies, with teams looking to maintain balance and competitiveness in the crucial stages of the tournament.