Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been dealt a significant setback ahead of IPL 2026, with key pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Harshit Rana struggling with injuries.Head coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed during the team’s pre-season press conference that Pathirana will miss the early phase of the tournament due to a calf strain and is expected to return only around mid-April. Rana’s injury has further complicated KKR’s pace-bowling plans, with the team still evaluating replacements.

Bravo backs India’s fast-bowling depth

Despite the setbacks, KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo struck an optimistic tone, highlighting India’s growing pool of fast bowlers.“In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are things you plan for, but also things you have to accept. The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is that there is a lot of depth,” Bravo Said“So there are some guys, as the coach mentioned, that we are definitely looking at to fill the spot – the likes of Umran Malik. These guys are also players who have represented the national team at some point in time and have also played in the IPL before. They are young, exciting talents. So, for me personally, I’m happy to work with this group of fast bowlers,” he added.Strong spin attack offers balanceWhile the pace attack faces challenges, Bravo expressed strong confidence in KKR’s spin department, led by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.“We have the best spin attack in the entire competition, so from a bowling point of view, I think we will be fine. Also, I can’t forget Vaibhav – what a fantastic season last year. He’s been the leader of the attack over the last two seasons as well. So, yes, we’ve lost some key players, but I feel comfortable [knowing that] we have what it takes to replace those guys,” Bravo stated confidence.KKR also have additional pace options in Akash Deep and Kartik Tyagi, giving them flexibility despite the injuries.

KKR’s early IPL 2026 schedule

KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium.Their upcoming fixtures include:vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – April 2 (Eden Gardens)vs Punjab Kings – April 6 (Eden Gardens)vs Lucknow Super Giants – April 9 (Eden Gardens)

The government has approved a limited-period Rs 20,000-crore credit guarantee scheme aimed at easing fund flow constraints faced by microfinance institutions (MFIs), according to a PTI report.The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0) will cover loans disbursed by member lending institutions (MLIs), including banks and other lenders, to non-banking finance company-MFIs and MFIs till the end of June, government-run National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) said in a circular.MFIs, which largely cater to borrowers at the bottom of the economic pyramid, have been facing challenging conditions due to a rise in non-performing assets (NPAs), making lenders cautious about extending fresh exposure.According to the circular, MLIs will extend funding to MFIs or NBFC-MFIs based on their internal assessment for onward lending to eligible small borrowers. Certain conditions have also been prescribed on lending rates.To qualify for benefits under the scheme, the interest rate on loans sanctioned by MLIs to NBFC-MFIs/MFIs will be capped at the External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) or the one-year marginal cost of funds-based lending rate plus two per cent.In addition, MFIs will have to lend to small borrowers at a cost at least one per cent below the average lending rate charged during the previous six months.The scheme also stipulates a maximum loan tenure of three years, including a one-year moratorium followed by a two-year repayment period. Further, MLIs are required to ensure that at least five per cent of the total loan amount under the scheme is sanctioned to small MFIs with assets under management (AUM) of less than Rs 500 crore, while 10 per cent should be allocated to mid-sized institutions with AUM between Rs 500 crore and Rs 2,000 crore.“The maximum amount of loan which can be sanctioned by MLIs to NBFC- MFIs/MFIs shall be capped at 20 per cent of AUM of respective NBFC-MFI/MFI subject to a maximum of Rs 100 crore to small size, Rs 200 crore to medium size and Rs 300 crore to large size NBFC-MFIs/MFIs,” the circular said.Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), the industry’s self-regulatory body, welcomed the measure, calling it a timely intervention that could help improve liquidity conditions.“The sector has demonstrated strong improvement in credit quality and adherence to responsible lending practices. The key constraint has been the availability of bank funding,” MFIN chief executive and director Alok Misra said.

IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have opposed the government’s directive barring airlines from charging for the selection of at least 60 per cent of seats, cautioning that the move may push up airfares.The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing the carriers, has called on the civil aviation ministry to reconsider the decision. In a letter to civil aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha on Thursday, the body said the directive could have unintended and adverse implications for the aviation sector.“The financial impact of the directive on airlines will be significant, compelling airlines to recover the lost revenues through increases in fares. As a result, all passengers, including those who may not wish to preselect seats, will end up paying higher fares,” the letter said. The FIA said seat selection charges are a legitimate source of revenue for airlines, especially in a high-cost operating environment.It noted that costs continue to rise annually under the regulator Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) framework, which allows airports full cost recovery along with an assured margin.“Airlines operate on thin margins and rely on ancillary revenues to offset rising operational costs, including fuel, maintenance, airport charges, etc. Imposing a uniform restriction on ancillary revenue undermines commercial flexibility and interferes with market-driven pricing mechanisms,” FIA said, as cited by PTI.FIA also said that although free seat selection may seem advantageous to passengers, the broader impact could be adverse, with higher fares likely to limit affordability and reduce consumer choice.It said the decision could run counter to the goal of passenger welfare by converting optional, user-paid charges into a uniform fare increase for all travellers, disproportionately affecting price-sensitive passengers.The industry body also flagged the absence of stakeholder consultations, stating that the decision was introduced without prior engagement with the sector.“If applied, this measure will set a precedent for excessive intervention in ancillary pricing with heavy loss of revenues for the airlines, apart from creating uncertainty for airlines regarding future regulatory constraints,” FIA said, urging that the mandate issued to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) be withdrawn.On Wednesday, the ministry said it had directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure that airlines offer at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight free of charge for selection, with the aim of providing fair access to passengers.The move comes amid growing concerns over airlines levying high fees for add-on services, including seat selection. Typically, carriers charge between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100 for selecting seats, depending on factors such as row position and additional legroom.Meanwhile, PTI sources said airlines have highlighted multiple operational pressures to the ministry, including a surge in jet fuel prices linked to the West Asia conflict.The situation has had a significant impact on flight operations to and from the region.

IPL 2026 is set to begin under a cloud of injury concerns, with several key players either ruled out completely or unavailable for a significant part of the tournament. Teams are already being forced to rethink combinations even before the first ball is bowled.Here is a look at the full list of injured or unavailable players ahead of the season:Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders)The young Indian pacer will miss the entire season after suffering an injury during India’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4. His absence leaves a gap in KKR’s pace attack.Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings)Ellis has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury, a setback confirmed by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan on March 19. He was expected to play a key role for the franchise this season, especially in the death bowling department.Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals)The England all-rounder, who joined Rajasthan Royals in a trade deal with CSK last year along with Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for Sanju Samson, will miss the entire season due to a groin injury.Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Edwards, a new recruit who was picked up for Rs 3 crore in the 2026 auction, will not feature at all this season due to a foot injury, denying him his IPL debut.Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Cummins will miss the initial matches as he continues to recover from the injury that also ruled him out of the T20 World Cup 2026. In his absence, Ishan Kishan will lead the side, with Abhishek Sharma serving as vice-captain.Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)A crucial part of RCB’s title-winning campaign last year, Hazlewood is still recovering from an injury that has kept him out for four months. He will miss the initial phase of IPL 2026.

Lockie Ferguson (Punjab Kings)New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is set to miss the early stages of IPL 2026 for Punjab Kings. Ferguson, a new father, will prioritise spending time with his family before potentially linking up with PBKS for the latter half of the tournament.Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals)Mitchell Starc is set to miss the start of IPL 2026, with Cricket Australia taking a cautious approach in managing the left-arm quick ahead of a demanding international schedule. Starc is among Australia’s senior pacers being held back for the early part of the tournament, with his availability dependent on progress in return-to-play protocols over the coming weeks.Matheesha Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders)Matthew Short (Chennai Super Kings)After Nathan Ellis, another jolt for the Chennai Super Kings, as the Australian all-rounder will miss the initial games due to a fractured thumb.Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Eshan Malinga is doubtful for the whole season after a shoulder injury.Atharva Ankolekar (Mumbai Indians)Atharva has been ruled out of the whole season due to a knee injury.

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Which player's absence do you think will have the biggest impact on their team in IPL 2026?

The IPL 2026 season begins on March 28, with the opening match between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.