IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals sign Emanjot Chahal for injured Ravi Singh
Synopsis
With wicketkeeper Ravi Singh ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Rajasthan Royals have turned to 21-year-old Punjab all-rounder Emanjot Chahal — signed for just ₹30 lakh — as they prepare for a must-win final league game against Mumbai Indians that will decide their IPL 2026 playoff fate.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Royals have signed Emanjot Chahal as a replacement for Ravi Singh , ruled out of IPL 2026 with a hamstring injury.
Ravi Singh was injured while fielding against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 17 May .
Emanjot Chahal , 21 , is a Patiala -born all-rounder with 11 wickets in three domestic matches and a top score of 83 in first-class cricket.
He joins RR for a fee of ₹30 lakh .
RR sit fourth on the points table with 14 points and face Mumbai Indians on Sunday at the Wankhede — a win guarantees an Eliminator berth against Sunrisers Hyderabad .
Rajasthan Royals (RR) have signed Punjab left-arm spinner Emanjot Chahal as a like-for-like replacement for wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Singh, who has been ruled out of the rest of IPL 2026 with a hamstring injury. The Indian Premier League (IPL) confirmed the signing in an official statement on Saturday, 23 May.
How the Injury Happened
Ravi Singh reportedly sustained the hamstring injury while fielding during RR's clash against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 17 May. The injury has ended his participation in the tournament, opening the door for the young Punjab all-rounder to make his IPL debut.
Who Is Emanjot Chahal
Emanjot Chahal, a 21-year-old all-rounder from Patiala, has represented Punjab in domestic cricket. He carries a top score of 83 in first-class cricket and has claimed 11 wickets in three matches with his left-arm spin. He joins RR for a fee of ₹30 lakh.
What Is at Stake for Rajasthan Royals
RR, currently placed fourth on the points table with 14 points, face a high-stakes final league match against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A win would confirm their place in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
A defeat, however, would leave them relying on other results — specifically, Punjab Kings losing to Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) falling to Delhi Capitals on Sunday evening. With KKR's fixture scheduled after their own, RR will be keen to settle the matter themselves rather than wait on permutations.
Recent Head-to-Head with Mumbai Indians
Earlier in the season, RR defeated MI by 27 runs in a rain-curtailed match in Guwahati, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting an unbeaten 77. That result will give the Royals confidence heading into Sunday's must-win contest at the Wankhede.
Point of View
And they are prioritising bowling cover over batting insurance at a critical juncture. Emanjot Chahal's 11 wickets in three domestic matches is a slender sample, and dropping him into a potential playoff-decider against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede is a significant ask. The broader issue is that RR's playoff run-in has been shaped as much by injuries and permutations as by their own performances — not the position a title contender wants to be in heading into the final league weekend.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Rajasthan Royals signed Emanjot Chahal?
Rajasthan Royals signed Emanjot Chahal as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Singh, who has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 with a hamstring injury sustained on 17 May. Chahal joins the squad for a fee of ₹30 lakh.
Who is Emanjot Chahal?
Emanjot Chahal is a 21-year-old left-arm spin all-rounder from Patiala who plays domestic cricket for Punjab. He has taken 11 wickets in three first-class matches and holds a top score of 83 with the bat.
What happened to Ravi Singh?
Ravi Singh suffered a hamstring injury while fielding during Rajasthan Royals' match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 17 May and has been ruled out for the rest of IPL 2026.
What do Rajasthan Royals need to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
RR, currently fourth with 14 points, need to beat Mumbai Indians on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium to secure a direct Eliminator berth against Sunrisers Hyderabad. A defeat would leave them dependent on Punjab Kings losing to Lucknow Super Giants and KKR losing to Delhi Capitals.
How did RR fare against Mumbai Indians earlier in IPL 2026?
Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 27 runs in a rain-curtailed match in Guwahati earlier in the season, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring an unbeaten 77.
