Home / Sports / Newcomer Dubey Replaces Star Spinner in Crucial IPL Clash
Newcomer Dubey Replaces Star Spinner in Crucial IPL Clash
13 May
Summary
- Saurabh Dubey, a left-arm pacer, made his IPL debut for KKR.
- Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out due to a minor niggle.
- Dubey previously was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad but never played.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a significant change to their lineup for their IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13, 2026. Left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey received a surprise inclusion, marking his debut in the tournament.
The decision to bring in the 28-year-old pacer came after the team's key spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, was sidelined due to a minor niggle. Captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed Chakravarthy's unavailability at the toss, with Dubey stepping into the impact substitutes role.
Dubey, who hails from Wardha, Maharashtra, represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket. His career includes eight List A matches and three domestic T20s, where he has taken 16 wickets in the 50-over format. Notably, he was previously acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2022 auction but did not feature in any matches before being released.
His selection for this high-stakes game, as KKR battles for a playoff spot, places Dubey under intense scrutiny to perform and compensate for the absence of Chakravarthy, a vital bowler for the team's recent resurgence.
