The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have secured the services of former Rajasthan Royals (RR) fast bowler Kuldip Yadav as an injury replacement for Khaleel Ahmed for the remainder of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Kuldip has been in and around the CSK for several weeks now and has been seen bowling to the batters in the nets. The left-arm seamer has now gotten the chance of being part of the main squad as the five-time champions look to secure a playoff berth this season.

Khaleel picked up a quadriceps injury during the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the season. He played just five matches in the tournament, picking up two wickets. 

Kuldip, on the other hand, has not played any professional cricket since playing two matches for RR during the 2023 season, in which he picked up two wickets, including one against CSK, where he got the better of Shivam Dube. Despite his lack of game time on a professional level, the 29-year-old played in the 2025 Delhi Premier League, representing the North Delhi Strikers, where he took nine wickets from as many matches at an economy rate of 9.56.

Even though they have been without Khaleel for the majority of the season, CSK haven’t had many issues with the ball. Anshul Kamboj has stepped up to become their talisman, taking 19 wickets from 11 matches and being just three wickets away from getting the Purple Cap. Jamie Overton, meanwhile, had 14 scalps to his name before returning to England after sustaining a thigh injury. The Super Kings signed 25-year-old South Africa international Dian Forrester as his replacement earlier this week.

After all the struggles CSK had towards the start of the season, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side are now one of the favourites to qualify for the playoffs. The 2023 champions are currently on a three-match winning streak to sit fifth in the standings with 12 points from 11 matches. They are just a point behind fourth-placed Punjab Kings but do have a game in hand over last year’s finalists.