CSK and RCB announce replacements for Khaleel Ahmed and Nuwan Thushara

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced replacements for Khaleel Ahmed and Nuwan Thushara, respectively. CSK have signed left-arm pacer Kuldip Yadav for INR 30 lakhs, which makes him a like-for-like replacement for Khaleel.

Kuldip had already had a taste of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He represented Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2021 and 2023 seasons. Kuldip, 29, has two wickets to his credit and has an economy rate of 9.33.

Kuldip comes into the CSK squad at a time when the five-time champions need a reliable pacer in their ranks. Having lost Khaleel's services after he was ruled out with a quadricep injury, CSK are now also devoid of Jamie Overton, who has been sidelined with a right thigh injury.

Meanwhile, RCB have opted for Richard Gleeson, who joins them for INR 1.6 crore. The English pacer brings a wealth of experience to RCB. He has represented England in six T20Is and has played a total of 145 T20 matches.

The 38-year-old has claimed 170 wickets in the shortest format (T20) at an economy rate of 8.18, including a four and a five-wicket haul. 

Gleeson is also not new to the IPL. The right-arm speedster played two games for CSK in IPL 2024 and represented Mumbai Indians in a solitary game in the previous IPL season. He fills in for Thushara after the Sri Lankan pacer failed to procure the no-objection certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to participate in the 19th edition of the IPL.

What are the playoff qualification chances for CSK and RCB?

RCB are perched at the top of the table with 16 points after 12 games. They can smoothly cement a playoff berth if they win their two remaining fixtures. However, a win and a loss will make them rely on Rajasthan Royals and Chennai to lose a game each.

Meanwhile, CSK have to win all three of their remaining fixtures and also hope for other results to go their way.