Rajasthan Royals (RR) sign Punjab spinner to replace injured Ravi Singh — But can RR still make the IPL 2026 Playoffs?
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have signed the 21-year-old Punjab spinner to replace their injured wicket-keeper, Ravi Singh, ahead of the IPL 2026 clash against the Mumbai Indians.
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The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have signed a young left-arm spin all-rounder, Emanjot Chahal, as the replacement of their injured wicket-keeper batter, Ravi Singh, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, whose league-stage games end on May 24.
Keeping their hopes of the Playoffs qualification alive, the Riyan Parag-led side gets prepared to feature in their final group-stage encounter against the Mumbai Indians at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. If they win the afternoon clash, they will be through to the Playoffs, without depending on other results.
Who is Emanjot Chahal? The INR 30 lakh Patiala left-arm all-rounder Rajasthan are betting their Playoff hopes on
The 2004-born all-rounder from Patiala, Emanjot Chahal, who bowls left-arm spin, could add a balanced value to their squad if they make into the Playoffs of the event. Moreover, their veteran Indian left-arm spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, has picked up a niggle and has been out of action for the last couple of games.
Chahal could be a strong replacement of Jadeja. The former has featured in three first-class games for the Punjab side, where he has picked up 11 wickets at fine average of 28.27 thanks to the best bowling figures of 3/43 in an innings. Besides that, he has also smashed 105 runs in six innings at an average of 26.25 and a strike rate of 56.14.
Interestingly, he hasn’t played any T20 game yet at the senior level. Meanwhile, their injured keeper, Ravi Singh, featured in just one game of the IPL 2026 against the Delhi Capitals a week ago when he smacked four runs.
Can RR still qualify for IPL 2026 Playoffs? The numbers, the scenarios, and the brutal truth
Rajasthan is currently at the fourth position of the points table. They have earned seven victories in 13 clashes at a net run rate of +0.083. The simple equation for them will be to get the victory against the Hardik Pandya-led side and qualify for the Eliminator of the tournament.
However, sitting in their team hotel, they will pray the Punjab Kings to lose against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the fixture in Lucknow. If that happens, then Punjab won’t be able to get through to the Playoffs.
See Also: Riyan Parag loses cool at IPL 2026 commentators — His words are going viral
Moreover, if Kolkata Knight Riders, who has 13 points at the moment, also lose to the Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens, then RR can qualify for the Playoffs even with a defeat against the Mumbai side. In case of either Punjab or Kolkata’s victory, RR will have to win their last game.
The first qualifier takes place on May 26 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala while the Eliminator takes place on the following day in New Chandigarh.
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