Injuries, and injury replacements are a big part of the IPL, and this year, the numbers are on the rise. Close to 20-25 players have suffered injuries, affecting their team’s performances. CSK pacer Khaleel Ahmed had suffered a right quadriceps injury, ruling him out of the entire tournament, while Sri Lankan Nuwan Thusara could not offer his services at all to RCB.
Now, both the franchises have named their replacements; Kuldip Yadav joins Chennai for Khaleel, while Richard Gleeson comes in for Thusara, for a fee of 30 lakh and 1.6 Cr, respectively. It is still not clear, as to when both these players will join their teams. In fact, IPL 2026 has already moved into the business end of the tournament, where the playoffs aren’t far.
The 29-year-old Kuldip Yadav is a left-hand medium pacer and has previously played in the IPL for RR. In 3 matches he has two wickets to his name. On the other hand, Gleeson comes with a lot more experience to his name. The Englishman was recently busy with PSL 2026, where he went on to pick 12 wickets in 9 matches.
Whether RCB eventually use him or not is a separate question. For now, their foreign pacers quota seems to be full — with Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy doing their job.
Rachin Ravindra flies back home
As per a report in Cricbuzz, KKR all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has flown back home, to begin with his preparation for the NZ vs ENG Test series, that begins on June 4. Rachin, surprisingly did not get to play any matches for the team, who was bought at the IPL 2026 auction for INR 2 Cr.
It is still not clear if Kolkata would announce any replacement for him, given their chances of qualification for the playoffs are miniscule. The team is in 8th position after 11 matches, having won only 4 and lost 6.
