3 Rajasthan players who will be part of CSK for IPL 2025 ft. Khaleel Ahmed
The state of Rajasthan has provided notable athletes to India and continues to fuel the national cricket team's engine. A plethora of cricketers from the state were part of the IPL 2025 auction, which concluded last month.
Interestingly, Ravi Bishnoi was the only cricketer from Rajasthan to be retained ahead of the auction. He will continue playing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2025 season.
A total of 15 players from the state entered the auction. Out of them, nine were able to find takers, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) securing the services of three players.
On that note, let's take a look at those players who will ply their trade for the Chennai-based franchise in IPL 2025.
#1 Kamlesh Nagarkoti
The right-arm speedster set the 2018 U19 World Cup alight with his sensational pace and wicket-taking abilities. He finished the tournament with nine scalps in six games as India went on to clinch the title. Subsequently, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3.20 crore ahead of the IPL 2018 season.
However, due to injury concerns, Nagarkoti finally made his IPL debut in the 2020 season. He could only return with five wickets in 10 appearances at an average of 46.20. The frequent injuries put him behind in the pecking order as compared to emerging Indian pacers.
In the IPL 2022 auction, he was bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 1.1 crore. He returned wicketless in his solitary appearance that season and was ruled out of the 2023 season due to injury. After getting unsold in the IPL 2024 auction, he was not expected to find interest in the recent auction as well.
However, CSK bought him for his base price of INR 30 Lakh, a move which could give a life to his dying professional career. Meanwhile, he has fared well for Rajasthan in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with nine wickets in six games.
#2 Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda made waves with his performances in the IPL 2022 season. Playing for the Lucknow Super Giants, Hooda slammed 451 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 138.09 with four 50s. The performance helped him make his international debut as well.
However, Hooda could garner only 84 runs in 12 innings at an average of less than 8 in the 2023 season. Then, he scored 145 runs in the 2024 season and again failed to live up to his promise. The Lucknow-based franchise decided to release him ahead of the auction.
After a brief bidding war, Hooda was bought by CSK for an amount of INR 1.7 crore. The right-hander will now look to revive his career with an impressive performance in the 2025 season.
#3 Khaleel Ahmed
One of the finest left-arm pacers in the country, Khaleel Ahmed was purchased by CSK for INR 4.20 crore after tough tussle with the Super Giants. Playing in the league since 2018, Khaleel produced his best-ever season in 2019 with a tally of 19 scalps for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In the IPL 2022 auction, Khaleel was bought for INR 5.25 crore by the Delhi Capitals. He didn't disappoint and went on to pick up 16 wickets in the season.
The last edition saw him emerging as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Capitals with 17 scalps. However, he was released by the Capitals and they didn't choose to pick him in the auction as well.
However, Khaleel Ahmed's acquisition will be a boon to CSK in the powerplay, with his ability to swing the ball both ways. Moreover, he could be a handy customer in the death overs with his cutters and slower balls.