Saurabh Dubey to replace Akash Deep in KKR for IPL 2026
Saurabh Dubey, the left-arm Vidarbha seamer is set to join Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for the injured Akash Deep for IPL 2026. KKR CEO Venky Mysore made the announcement during an intra-squad match. “Head coach Abhishek Nayar has done a great job lining up the potential options and bringing them over so that the coaches can see, be part of our training and practice games. Definitely the one who has caught everyone’s eyes is Saurabh Dubey, Vidarbha left-arm seamer, tall.” Mysore added, “The coaches were excited, called up and said, ‘this is who we would like to take as Akash Deep’s replacement.'”
Dubey has played just 11 games at the senior level. Uncapped in the IPL, Dubey has not played competitive cricket in nearly two-and-a-half years. In 2022, he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad, but his season was cut short by injury.
James Harris retires from professional cricket
James Harris, the former Glamorgan and Middlesex seamer, retired from professional cricket on the eve of the 2026 season. Harris, who has represented Glamorgan since his debut at 16, made his first appearance for the side against Nottinghamshire in May 2007. He became the youngest player to take 10 wickets in a County Championship with a spell of 12/118, including 7/66 in the first innings during his second appearance.
After retiring with a total tally of 772 wickets across formats, including 623 at 30.59 in first-class cricket, Harris said, “It’s hard to fully express what the game has given me.” He added, “From starting out as a 16-year-old with a dream to playing professionally for over two decades. I feel incredibly fortunate for the journey I’ve been on. Cricket has shaped so much of my life.”
Former Bangladesh captain becomes new chairman of selection committee
Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain, has been appointed as the new chairman of the selection committee for the Bangladesh men’s team. Bangladesh Cricket Board chose Bashar, who led Bangladesh in 18 Tests and 69 ODIs and served as a men’s selector for 11 years and headed the women’s wing for a year.
The BCB also appointed former Bangladesh cricketers Naeem Islam and Nadif Chowdhury to the men’s selection committee. While Naeem hasn’t announced his retirement from domestic cricket, Nadif, on the other hand, became an age-group selector last year. The tenure of the four-member selection panel will run till the end of the ODI World Cup 2027.
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