Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar found a late lifeline at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signing him for Rs 5.20 crore in the accelerated round after he went unsold earlier at his base price of Rs 1 crore in Abu Dhabi.
The late bidding came as a turnaround for Chahar, who surprisingly failed to attract interest in the initial rounds despite being one of the more experienced Indian spinners in the auction pool.
Rahul Chahar’s IPL record
Across 79 IPL matches, Rahul Chahar has picked up 75 wickets at an average of 28.67 and an economy rate of 7.72, with best bowling figures of 4/27. Known for his control and ability to bowl in the middle overs, Chahar has been a consistent option across franchises.
Proven IPL pedigree
Chahar was a key part of Mumbai Indians’ title-winning squads in 2019 and 2020, taking a combined 28 wickets across those two seasons and often operating under pressure. Over the years, he has represented multiple teams, including Rising Pune Supergiant (2017), Mumbai Indians (2018–2021), Punjab Kings (2022–2024), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2025).
In the 2025 season, Chahar was picked up by SRH for Rs 3.20 crore, but featured in only one match before being released ahead of the 2026 auction.
Why CSK moved late
Despite going unsold initially, CSK moved decisively in the accelerated round, pushing the price up to Rs 5.20 crore. The franchise has been actively strengthening its spin department, and Chahar’s experience, control, and familiarity with Indian conditions made him an attractive late option.
Fresh opportunity in yellow
For Rahul Chahar, the move to CSK offers a chance to reset after a quiet 2025 season. While the auction began with disappointment, the accelerated-round signing ensures the leg-spinner remains a part of the IPL ecosystem, this time with one of the league’s most tactically astute franchises.
