IPL 2026: RR announce Chahal as injury replacement ahead of must-win clash vs MI

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have officially announced Emanjot Chahal as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batsman Ravi Singh. Singh has been ruled out for the remainder of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season after sustaining a severe hamstring injury.

Emanjot Chahal joins RR as Ravi Singh's replacement

Chahal, a promising young all-rounder hailing from Patiala, brings fresh domestic experience to the Royals' camp, having previously represented Punjab. The left-arm spinner has a solid track record in his brief domestic career, claiming eleven first-class wickets and registering a top score of 83 runs across three first-class matches.

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The Punjab all-rounder is set to join the Rajasthan Royals squad immediately. He has been acquired by the franchise for a signing fee of Rs 30 Lakh.

Ravi Singh ruled out IPL 2026 due to hamstring injury

Ravi Singh managed to feature in just a single game for the Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2026 season, making his lone appearance against the Delhi Capitals on May 17 before being sidelined. In his place, the Royals have brought in Emanjot Chahal, a promising 22-year-old all-rounder from Patiala. Chahal has represented Punjab in three first-class matches so far, proving his capabilities in the domestic circuit.

Across those three first-class appearances, the left-arm spinner has scalped 11 wickets. He has also shown his utility with the bat, notably amassing a crucial 83 runs during a Ranji Trophy 2025-26 encounter against Karnataka. Recognizing his potential, the Royals management scooped him up just ahead of their final league-stage fixture against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

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The upcoming match carries massive stakes for the inaugural IPL champions, who currently sit in fourth place in the standings with 14 points from 13 matches. A victory in their next outing will elevate them to 16 points, firmly securing their spot in the top four and guaranteeing a place in the playoffs.

However, achieving that postseason berth will require overcoming the Mumbai Indians on their home turf on May 24. While the already-eliminated, five-time champions have nothing to lose and will play with absolute freedom, the Rajasthan Royals face a must-win situation. A defeat could jeopardize their entire season and leave their qualification hopes in serious doubt. Coming off a victory in their previous game, the Royals will look to carry that positive momentum forward and deliver a clinical performance under pressure.