IPL 2025: Kuldip Yadav joins CSK, Richard Gleeson named for RCB as injury replacements
Synopsis
Two IPL 2025 franchises have been forced into mid-season squad reshuffles: CSK bring in Kuldip Yadav for ₹30 lakh after Khaleel Ahmed's quadriceps surgery, while RCB pay ₹1.6 crore for Richard Gleeson — a replacement that was actually needed before the tournament even started, after Nuwan Thushara was denied an NOC by Sri Lanka Cricket for failing a fitness test.
Key Takeaways
CSK signed Kuldip Yadav for ₹30 lakh as a replacement for injured Khaleel Ahmed .
RCB named Richard Gleeson as Nuwan Thushara's replacement for ₹1.6 crore .
Khaleel Ahmed , 28 , was ruled out on 16 April with a right quadriceps tear and has since had successful surgery.
Thushara was denied an NOC by Sri Lanka Cricket after failing a mandatory fitness test before the season opener.
Gleeson has 9 wickets from 6 T20Is for England and prior IPL experience with both CSK and MI .
KKR's Rachin Ravindra has returned home for New Zealand's Test tour to England .
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Kuldip Yadav as an injury replacement for Khaleel Ahmed, while defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have brought in English fast bowler Richard Gleeson to fill the void left by Nuwan Thushara, the Indian Premier League (IPL) confirmed on Friday, 15 May 2025. The two mid-season signings highlight the injury and availability pressures that have tested franchise squads across the 2025 IPL campaign.
The Signings and Their Fees
According to an official IPL statement, Kuldip Yadav will join CSK for ₹30 lakh, while Richard Gleeson will link up with RCB for a fee of ₹1.6 crore. Kuldip made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and has featured in three games for the franchise. Gleeson, meanwhile, has represented England in six T20 Internationals, claiming 9 wickets, and has prior IPL experience — turning out for CSK in 2 games and Mumbai Indians (MI) in one game across the 2024 and 2025 editions of the league.
Why Khaleel Ahmed Was Ruled Out
The 28-year-old left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed was ruled out of the tournament on 16 April after sustaining a right quadricep injury during CSK's match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Khaleel had to leave the field mid-spell after pulling up during his run-up; what initially appeared to be cramps was later confirmed as a quadriceps tear following medical assessments — a serious blow for a fast bowler. He subsequently underwent a successful surgery. Khaleel had played five games for CSK this season, picking up two wickets.
Thushara's Fitness Controversy
Nuwan Thushara's exit from the tournament came under different circumstances. The Sri Lankan pacer was ruled out on the eve of the tournament opener after failing a mandatory fitness test conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The SLC denied him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) on the grounds that he had not met the required fitness standards, leaving RCB to seek a replacement before the season even began. Gleeson's signing now formally closes that gap in the squad.
Rachin Ravindra Heads Home for Test Duty
In a separate development, Kolkata Knight Riders' Rachin Ravindra has returned home to begin his red-ball preparations for New Zealand's upcoming Test tour to England. His departure underscores the competing demands of the international calendar on IPL franchises as the tournament moves into its latter stages.
Point of View
Meanwhile, is a recurring theme for high-workload seamers in a format that demands short, explosive spells. CSK and RCB have plugged the gaps, but both replacements arrive with limited recent IPL exposure, which could test depth in the business end of the tournament.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Khaleel Ahmed replaced in IPL 2025?
Khaleel Ahmed was ruled out of IPL 2025 on 16 April after tearing his right quadriceps during CSK's match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. He subsequently underwent successful surgery and was unavailable for the remainder of the tournament.
Why was Nuwan Thushara not available for RCB in IPL 2025?
Nuwan Thushara was denied a No-Objection Certificate by Sri Lanka Cricket after failing a mandatory fitness test on the eve of the tournament opener. Without the NOC, he could not participate, prompting RCB to seek a replacement.
Who is Richard Gleeson and what is his IPL record?
Richard Gleeson is an English fast bowler with 9 wickets from 6 T20 Internationals for England. He has prior IPL experience, having played 2 games for CSK in 2024 and one game for Mumbai Indians in 2025.
How much did CSK pay for Kuldip Yadav as a replacement?
CSK signed Kuldip Yadav for ₹30 lakh as a mid-season injury replacement. Kuldip made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and has featured in three IPL games in total.
Why did Rachin Ravindra leave KKR mid-tournament?
Rachin Ravindra returned home to begin red-ball preparations for New Zealand's upcoming Test tour to England, reflecting the competing demands of the international calendar on IPL squad availability.
