Chennai Super Kings have lost fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed for the remainder of IPL 2026. The left-armer injured his quadriceps during the home match against Kolkata Knight Riders, and reports say the damage is serious enough to end his season.
How the injury happened
CSK were defending 192 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Khaleel had started well and removed Sunil Narine early in the innings. On the last ball of his spell, however, he stopped halfway through his run-up in clear discomfort, could not complete the delivery and left the field.
Expected time out
The 28-year-old is understood to have suffered a grade 2 tear, with a recovery period of 10 to 12 weeks. With nine league games still to play, CSK are expected to look at replacement options.
His season so far
This was Khaleel’s second year with the franchise, and he had been an important part of the pace attack. In IPL 2025 he took 15 wickets, the second-highest tally in the CSK squad. Before getting hurt this season he had two wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 8.67.
CSK win without him
Despite losing him mid-game, Chennai beat KKR by 32 runs, with Noor Ahmad taking 3 for 21. The result gave Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side back-to-back home wins after a slow start, following an earlier victory over Delhi Capitals at Chepauk, and some welcome momentum for the rest of the campaign.
