Khaleel Ahmed Replacements- Players Who Walk In CSK Directly For IPL 2026

Khaleel Ahmed [Source: AP Photos]

Chennai Super Kings have received a major setback in IPL 2026. Their main pacer Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a quadricep injury. This incident happened during a match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

At first, it looked like a minor issue such as cramps. However, things became serious when Khaleel stopped midway during his run-up and held his right leg in pain. 

Soon after medical evaluation, it was confirmed that the injury needs long-term recovery. Doctors have suggested a rehabilitation period of around 10 to 12 weeks. As a result, he will miss the rest of the IPL season.

This situation is difficult for CSK, especially since Khaleel played all five matches so far and was an important part of their bowling attack. Therefore, the team now needs to find a suitable replacement quickly. Let’s look at some players who can step into the squad and strengthen the bowling unit.

Which Players can replace Khaleel Ahmed in CSK for IPL 2026

Chetan Sakariya

Chetan Sakariya is one of the closest options for Khaleel Ahmed's replacement in CSK. The 28-year-old is also a left-arm fast bowler, which gives similar balance to the team. Notably, he started his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals in 2021. 

Over three seasons, he played 19 matches and picked up 20 wickets. Later, he moved to Delhi Capitals and then joined KKR as an injury replacement in 2025.

Even though he went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, his domestic performance remains decent. In the SMAT 2025 season, he took 12 wickets in 7 matches. His bowling style includes good control and calmness under pressure. Therefore, he can be a reliable option for CSK.

Akash Madhwal 

Another good option as Khaleel Ahmed replacement in IPL 2026 is Akash Madhwal. He is a right-arm pacer known for his sharp bowling in the final overs.

Notably, Madhwal has previously played for Mumbai Indians and has taken 23 wickets in 17 IPL innings. His biggest strength lies in bowling accurate yorkers, especially during the death overs. Moreover, he gained attention for his incredible performance of 5 wickets for just 5 runs in the IPL 2023 Eliminator.

Therefore, his ability to perform under pressure could help CSK manage tight match situations effectively.

Simarjeet Singh

Simarjeet Singh is another player who can return to CSK. It is important to mention that  he has already played for the team earlier, which means he understands the team environment well.

In his previous IPL appearances, the young pacer picked up 9 wickets in 10 matches. Recently, he performed very well in the Delhi Premier League 2025, where he took 20 wickets in 11 games. Notably, his economy rate was also impressive.

Since he has experience with CSK and is currently in good form, he becomes a strong option for Khaleel Ahmed's replacement.

Rajvardhan Hangargekar

Rajvardhan Hangargekar is a young and exciting player. He has already played for CSK in IPL 2023, where he showed promise.

In recent domestic tournaments, he has performed well. In SMAT 2025, he took 11 wickets in 7 matches. In MPL 2025, he added another 10 wickets in 7 games. Apart from bowling, he can also contribute with the bat as a lower-order hitter.

This combination of skills makes him a useful option. Therefore, CSK might consider him as a Khaleel Ahmed replacement to strengthen both bowling and batting depth.

Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar is another name on the list as Khaleel Ahmed's replacement for CSK. Notably, he is an experienced player and also a local Chennai cricketer, which can be an advantage. The 35-year-old bowling all-rounder has played 78 IPL matches and has been part of multiple teams, including CSK in the past.

 It is worth mentioning that Vijay Shankar can bowl a few overs in the middle phase and also contribute with the bat when needed.

Even though he went unsold in the auction, his experience and ability to balance the team make him a practical choice.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians Announce Replacement For Injured Star