CSK replace injured Khaleel with Kuldip; RCB rope in Gleeson for Thushara

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have announced replacements for injured fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Nuwan Thushara respectively ahead of the final phase of the IPL 2026 season.

CSK have brought in medium pacer Kuldip Yadav as Khaleel’s replacement for Rs 30 lakh after the left-arm seamer was ruled out with a quad injury earlier this month. The 29-year-old Kuldip has limited experience at the top level and has previously been part of Rajasthan Royals, featuring in three matches across the 2021 and 2023 seasons. Those appearances remain the only T20 games of his career so far.

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Khaleel’s injury adds to a growing list of fitness concerns for Chennai this season. The pacer played five matches for CSK and picked up two wickets before suffering the injury during the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. He was unable to complete the final ball of his spell in that game.

The franchise has struggled with repeated injury setbacks this season, with England all-rounder Jamie Overton becoming the latest player to join the injured list.

Meanwhile, defending champions RCB have signed England fast bowler Richard Gleeson as a replacement for Thushara, who has also been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026. Gleeson joins the defending champions for Rs 1.6 crore.

Thushara, who played one match for RCB last season, did not make an appearance in IPL 2026 before being sidelined due to injury. The 38-year-old Gleeson made his England debut in 2022 and has represented the national side in six T20 Internationals, taking nine wickets.

An experienced T20 campaigner, Gleeson has claimed 170 wickets in 145 matches across various leagues around the world. He is also no stranger to the IPL, having featured in the last two seasons. In 2024, he played for CSK and took one wicket in two matches, while last season he represented Mumbai Indians and picked up one wicket in a single appearance.