As the IPL 2026 season heats up, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made strategic moves to strengthen their bowling attacks, bringing in new faces to cover for injured pacers at this crucial stage of the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings, currently locked in a tense battle for a playoff spot, have signed left-arm medium pacer Kuldip Yadav for INR 30 lakh. The 26-year-old replaces Khaleel Ahmed, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an injury. Kuldip, who made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals back in 2021, brings valuable experience from three previous IPL appearances. With CSK sitting in 5th place on the points table with 12 points, every addition counts as they push for a top-four finish.

Meanwhile, table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made a bold move by bringing in English fast bowler Richard Gleeson for INR 1.6 crore. The 36-year-old replaces injured Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara and already knows the IPL ropes well, having previously represented Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Gleeson has also impressed on the international stage, picking up nine wickets in six T20I appearances for England.

RCB currently dominate the IPL 2026 standings with 16 points, putting them on the verge of playoff qualification. CSK's journey has been a rollercoaster ride, bouncing back from early-season losses to Punjab, Rajasthan, and RCB to mount a strong resurgence in the second half. With three league games remaining, the Super Kings hold their fate in their own hands, and a clean sweep of their upcoming fixtures would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.