IPL 2026: RCB and CSK Make Key Player Replacements
IPL 2026 - RCB sign Richard Gleeson as replacement for Nuwan Thushara; CSK replace Khaleel with Kuldip
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed England's Richard Gleeson for INR 1.6 crore as a replacement for Nuwan Thushara, who was denied a No-Objection Certificate by Sri Lanka Cricket. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have replaced injured Khaleel Ahmed with Kuldip Yadav for INR 30 lakh.
- 01Richard Gleeson has played nine T20 Internationals and has previous IPL experience with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
- 02Nuwan Thushara was retained by RCB after contributing to their title win in 2025 but faced fitness issues leading to his replacement.
- 03Khaleel Ahmed had an economy rate of 8.67 in five matches before his injury against Kolkata Knight Riders.
- 04Kuldip Yadav has previously played for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, making three appearances in 2021 and 2023.
- 05Thushara's legal dispute with Sri Lanka Cricket over his fitness standards was withdrawn after he issued an apology.
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In IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed England fast bowler Richard Gleeson as a replacement for Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Thushara, who was unable to join the squad due to a lack of a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Gleeson, aged 38, has previously played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL, and RCB has secured him for INR 1.6 crore. Thushara, who was also signed for INR 1.6 crore in 2025, made a single appearance during RCB's title-winning season. His absence this year is attributed to fitness issues, which led to a legal dispute with SLC that he later withdrew after apologizing to the board. Meanwhile, CSK has replaced injured fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed with Kuldip Yadav, who has been signed for INR 30 lakh. Khaleel suffered a right quadricep injury during a match against Kolkata Knight Riders, having taken two wickets in five matches this season. Kuldip Yadav has prior IPL experience with Rajasthan Royals, where he played three matches in 2021 and 2023.
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The replacements may affect team performance and strategies in the ongoing IPL season.
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