Akash Deep (KKR): Negative WAR Projection Makes Him a Long Shot for Game Time
Akash Deep's regressed WAR per match of 0.02 is near replacement level. His raw bowling WAR of -0.12 is negative, meaning he has produced below-replacement bowling output across his T20 career. His projected 2026 WAR of -0.14 cements his status at the bottom of KKR's pace pecking order.
Deep is not in the optimal XII. With 33 career matches and 689 bowling balls, his sample shows a bowler who leaks runs.
Bowling Profile
Deep's powerplay economy of 8 across 47% of his workload is his best phase. His middle-overs economy of 9 and death economy of 9 are near average. His overall economy of 8 masks the underlying negative bowling WAR, which accounts for phase-specific context.
| Phase | Economy | vs League Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 7.5 | vs 9.3 avg |
| Middle | 8.9 | vs 8.5 avg |
| Death | 9.3 | vs 10.4 avg |
He took 38 wickets across 122 overs, suggesting he can take wickets but at too high a cost.
Why He is Excluded
KKR has 4 domestic pace options ahead of Deep: Arora, Umran Malik, Harshit Rana, and Kartik Tyagi all project better. His IPL confidence of 0.48 reflects an inconsistent sample.
What This Means for IPL 2026
Deep is emergency squad depth. The model does not project him to provide positive value if selected. He would need significant improvement in his phase-specific efficiency to compete for a role, even as a backup.