3 reasons why CSK signing Khaleel Ahmed at IPL 2025 auction is a smart move

Ffive-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) purchased Khaleel Ahmed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. The left-arm pacer joins the CSK squad for a price of INR 4.8 crore.

Entering the auction at a base price of INR 2 crore, CSK opened the bidding for Khaleel. The Lucknow Super Giants also took an interest in him, but the Super Kings managed to have a final laugh with his acquisition.

Khaleel played for the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 edition of the cash-rich league. Despite him emerging as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the side, he was released ahead of the auction.

On that note, let's take a look at the three reasons why Khaleel Ahmed's induction into the squad is the smart move by CSK.

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#1 Potent operator with the new ball

Over the years Khaleel Ahmed has been a lethal weapon with the new ball. With proper rhythm and precision, Khaleel has the ability to dismiss experienced players.

In the last season, he was impressive to take wickets of batters like Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer. Among his total dismissals in IPL, 48.6 percent of them were top-order (1-3) batters.

With an ability to swing the ball both ways, Khaleel can be looked upon as a bowler, who could deliver three of his four overs in the first half of the innings.

Moreover, the 26-year-old looked sharp with his cutters and slower balls in the death in 2024. He could form a potent pair with Matheesha Pathirana to contain the opposition in the crucial phase of the game.

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#2 Consistent wicket-taker in IPL

Khaleel Ahmed has been one of the finest bowlers in securing consistent breakthroughs for his sides in the cash-rich league. The last edition saw him emerging as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Capitals with 17 wickets.

The skilful pacer has scalped 74 wickets in 57 IPL games, with the best figures of 3/21. Interestingly, Khaleel is the fastest Indian bowler to claim 50 wickets in IPL, in only his 35th appearance during the 2023 season.

The 26-year-old recorded his best tally of 19 wickets in the 2019 season, where he helped the Sunrisers Hyderabad to reach the playoffs.

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#3 Came at bargain price compared to other pacers

Khaleel Ahmed was a steal buy for the Chennai Super Kings at a price of INR 4.8 crore. Khaleel's impressive domestic form and good track record in the IPL would keep the CSK side in good stead after the auction.

Other pacers like Arshdeep Singh (INR 18 crore), T. Natarajan (INR 10.75 crore), Avesh Khan (INR 9.75 crore), Prasidh Krishna (INR 9.5 crore), Harshal Patel (INR 8 crore), and Rasikh Dar (INR 6 crore) were quite costly buys for other franchises.

Notably, Arshdeep, Natarajan, and Avesh picked up just two more wickets than Khaleel in the last edition. However, Arshdeep deserves the price, owing to his sensational performances in the international circuit. Meanwhile, Harshal was the Purple Cap winner with 24 wickets in the last edition.