Chennai Super Kings Bring in Ex-Rajasthan Pacer Kuldip to Cover for Khaleel Ahmed

Chennai Super Kings have signed left-arm fast bowler Kuldip as a replacement for Khaleel Ahmed, who is out of the IPL with a quadriceps injury.

Khaleel’s season cut short

Khaleel was hurt during CSK’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the tournament. He played only five games this season and took two wickets before being ruled out.

Who is Kuldip

The 29-year-old has been training with CSK for the past few weeks and was regularly seen bowling in the nets, and has now formally joined the main squad. His last professional appearances came in the 2023 IPL for Rajasthan Royals, where he played two matches and took two wickets, one of them Shivam Dube against CSK. He has been away from top-level cricket since, though he turned out in the 2025 Delhi Premier League for North Delhi Strikers and took nine wickets in as many games.

Bowling attack holding up

CSK’s bowling has stayed strong without Khaleel. Young pacer Anshul Kamboj has taken 19 wickets in 11 matches and sits just three wickets short of the Purple Cap. Jamie Overton claimed 14 wickets before going home to England with a thigh injury, and South African pacer Dian Forrester has been named as his replacement.

Playoff push

After a rocky start, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team have recovered well. They are on a three-match winning run and fifth in the table with 12 points from 11 games, one point behind fourth-placed Punjab Kings with a game in hand.