Khaleel Ahmed

After watching Zaheer Khan bowl television, Khaleel developed an enduring love for left-arm swing and worked on developing both inswing and the ability to angle the ball across right-handers while relying on his natural pace and bounce.

He rose through the age-group ranks as a raw but exciting fast bowler, finishing as the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2015 Under-19 tri-series in Sri Lanka and going on to play the 2016 U-19 World Cup. He got the chance to work with Zaheer as a rookie at Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2016 and went on to play for India A, where consistent returns earned him an international debut in 2018. Khaleel made an immediate impression, notably with a sharp 3 for 13 in an ODI against West Indies in Mumbai, and soon became a regular presence in the IPL, highlighted by a 19-wicket season for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019.

However, injuries, including a hernia that forced him to "start from zero", disrupted his progress and kept him out of contention for long stretches. Since 2023-24, with an intense focus on fitness, workload management and skill development - such as late swing and wobble-seam variations - he has rebuilt both his body and confidence.

- Khaleel Ahmed made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second qualifier in 2018 and spent four seasons with the franchise.

- He was a more regular presence for Delhi Capitals between 2022 and 2024, taking 42 wickets in 33 games and growing in stature as a new-ball bowler.

- In IPL 2024, he was among the top wicket-takers in the powerplay with eight strikes in 14 innings at an economy rate of 8.87.

- In 2025, CSK picked him as replacement for Deepak Chahar, who moved to MI, and he fulfilled his role as a powerplay bowler while also fronting up to bowl at the death.

A left-arm medium pacer and opening bowler for India Under-19s, Khaleel Ahmed has been a dependable performer at the youth level. He came into the Under-19 World Cup in 2016 with 12 wickets in three innings, including 3 for 29 against Sri Lanka in the final of the Tri-Nation Under-19s tournament in Colombo. He couldn't quite extend that wicket-taking form into the World Cup, but was a regular presence in the side.

Khaleel was bought by Delhi Daredevils for INR 10 lakh at the IPL auction in 2016, thereby extending his association with Rahul Dravid who served as India's Under-19 coach and is also the Daredevils' team mentor.
ESPNcricinfo staff