Khaleel Ahmed (ANI image) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have faced a major setback as left-arm paceman Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a quadriceps injury. The seamer, who has appeared in all five matches this season, experienced discomfort during CSK’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 14, interrupting what had been a steady start to his campaign.The timing of the injury could not have been worse for CSK. After a shaky start to the season with three straight losses, the five-time champions have just started to find a turnaround. To sustain this resurgence, team management will want to quickly bring in a suitable replacement.
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Bombay Sport Exchange: Munaf Patel on Gautam Gambhir, Virat vs Bumrah and Indian bowling. Here are 4 potential replacements for Khaleel Ahmed
Chetan Sakariya
Chetan Sakariya, a similar option, offers Khaleel-like left-arm pace. Despite going unsold in the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of Rs 75 crore, he impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, taking 12 wickets in seven matches. His ability to swing the new ball makes him a strong candidate.
Akash Madhwal
Akash Madhwal is currently linked with Mumbai Indians as a net bowler and remains a proven IPL performer. Known for his deadly yorkers in the death overs, he has 23 wickets in 17 IPL innings. Although his IPL 2026 numbers (4 wickets in 4 matches, 11.07 economy) are modest, his outstanding spell of 3/29 against CSK and an exceptional 2023 season, including a record of 5/5 in the Eliminator, highlight his match-winning potential.
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Simarjeet Singh
A familiar face in the CSK setup, Simarjeet Singh brings raw pace and previous experience with the franchise. Although not sold in the 2026 auction, he remained in the IPL circuit and even tried out as Harshit Rana’s replacement for Kolkata Knight Riders before the season. His familiarity with the CSK environment could work in his favor where he was part of the team from 2022-2024.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti
India’s uncapped all-rounder Kamlesh Nagarkoti was part of CSK’s 2025 squad but went unsold this year. Known for his pace and ability to contribute with the bat, Nagarkoti adds depth as a useful option, although injuries have affected his continuity in the past.
