Khaleel Ahmed Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career
Khalil Khurshid Ahmed, born on 5 December 1997. Raised in Tonk, Rajasthan, he is a talented left-arm fast-medium bowler who bats right-handed and plays primarily as a bowler. At just 27 years old, he has already represented India in ODIs and T20Is, has built a strong domestic record, and has established himself as a regular performer in the IPL. Known for his ability to swing the ball and generate good bounce, Khalil is one of India’s few consistent left-arm pace options.
Early Life And Background
Khalil grew up in a modest family in Tonk, Rajasthan. His father, Khurshid Ahmed, worked as a nurse and wanted his son to focus on education and pursue a stable profession like medicine. However, young Khalil was very passionate about cricket from an early age.
He started his journey by playing tennis-ball cricket on local pitches. He became known for his natural pace and ability to swing the ball at a fast pace. He was inspired by former Indian left-arm fast bowlers such as Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan. Khaleel trained at the Rajasthan Cricket Academy, where he honed his skills. His hard work paid off when he was selected in the India Under-19 team for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. This experience helped him gain valuable experience and put him on the radar of national selectors and IPL scouts.
Domestic Career
Khaleel’s domestic debut came soon after his Under-19 success.
- He made his T20 debut for Rajasthan in the 2016–17 Inter-State Twenty20 tournament on 5 February 2017.
- He made his first-class debut in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy on 6 October 2017.
- He made his List-A debut in the 2017–18 Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2018.
In domestic cricket, Khaleel quickly built a reputation as a sharp new-ball bowler. His performances for Rajasthan earned him an IPL contract and, eventually, a call-up to the Indian national team.
International Debut And Career
Khaleel Ahmed got his big break in 2018. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India against Hong Kong during the Asia Cup on 18 September 2018. He impressed immediately, taking three wickets on his debut. A few months later, he made his T20 International (T20I) debut against West Indies on 4 November 2018. Although his opportunities have been limited so far, he has shown glimpses of his potential as a genuine left-arm pace option for India. He remains on the fringes of the Indian setup but continues to perform in domestic and IPL tournaments to keep himself in contention.
IPL Journey
Khalil Ahmed’s IPL journey has been both eventful and fruitful.
- 2016: He was first picked by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for ₹10 lakh but did not play a single game that season.
- 2018: Bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for around ₹3 crore. He made his IPL debut in 2018 and became a regular in their pace attack over the next few seasons.
- 2022–2024: Moved to Delhi Capitals, where he played a vital role as a new-ball bowler. During these three seasons, he took 42 wickets in 33 matches and was one of the top wicket-takers in the Powerplay overs during IPL 2024.
- 2025: In the latest IPL season, he joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a potential replacement for Deepak Chahar, who left for Mumbai Indians.
Over the years, Khaleel has developed into a reliable IPL seamer, reliable with the new ball and in crucial moments in the middle overs.
Career Stats
Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 11 | 15 | 3/13 | 31.00 | 5.81 | 32.0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 18 | 16 | 2/27 | 35.12 | 8.51 | 24.7 | 0 |
| First-Class | 26 | 68 | 5/37 | 31.69 | 3.45 | 55.0 | 1 |
| List-A | 63 | 92 | 4/35 | 27.92 | 5.11 | 32.7 | 0 |
| T20s (overall) | 128 | 159 | 5/18 | 25.15 | 8.49 | 17.7 | 1 |
Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 11 | 9 | 5 | 4.50 | 0/0 |
| T20Is | 18 | 1 | 1* | – | 0/0 |
| First-Class | 26 | 112 | 18* | 6.58 | 0/0 |
| List-A | 63 | 44 | 15 | 3.66 | 0/0 |
| T20s | 128 | 11 | 3* | 1.57 | 0/0 |
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Khaleel’s net worth is around ₹15 crore (approximately $2 million USD). His main sources of income include:
- IPL contracts: A steady portion of his income, which includes a salary of ₹10 lakh to ₹3 crore during the season.
- Domestic match fees: Money from representing Rajasthan in Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- Brand endorsements: Small but growing endorsement deals and appearances.
Despite not being in the top tier of Indian cricketers in terms of earnings, Khaleel has built a strong net worth through domestic and IPL performances.
Personal Life
Khaleel Ahmed remains unmarried as of 2025. He has not publicly confirmed any relationship or wife. Despite his rising fame, he prefers to keep his private life out of the spotlight.
He is known to be very close to his parents and often credits his father’s sacrifice and support for his success. Khaleel also enjoys fitness training and spending time in Rajasthan during the off-season. His humbleness and strong nature make him well-liked by his teammates and fans.
Check Also: Rinku Singh Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career
Notable Records And Achievements
- Took 3 wickets on ODI debut against Hong Kong in 2018.
- Claimed five wickets (18/5) in domestic T20 cricket, one of his best performances in the shorter format.
- Consistently top 10 wicket-takers for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022-2024.
- Part of the India A team that won against England Lions in 2025, where he took 4 wickets in an innings.
- Known for being one of the few left-arm fast bowlers to represent India in both white-ball and white-ball formats after the Zaheer Khan era.
Khaleel’s performances in India A and IPL matches make him a strong contender for future national selection.
Conclusion
Khaleel Ahmed’s story is a classic tale of perseverance and talent. His journey from a small town in Rajasthan to representing India, shows determination and faith. As a left-arm fast bowler, he is a rare and valuable asset in Indian cricket.
With the skills and experience gained through IPL and domestic cricket, Khaleel will be making a comeback in the coming years. The cricketing world will be waiting to see how this promising left-arm fast bowler shapes the next chapter of his career.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When did Khaleel Ahmed make his debut for India?
Khaleel made his ODI debut for India against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup on 18 September 2018 and his T20I debut against West Indies on 4 November 2018. He took three wickets on his ODI debut and quickly gained recognition for his left-arm fast bowling.
Q2. What are Khaleel Ahmed’s career figures across formats?
Khaleel has played 11 ODIs, 18 T20Is, 26 first-class, 63 List-A and 128 T20 matches. He has taken over 350 wickets across all professional formats, with best figures of 5/1 for 18 in T20 and 5/37 for 37 in first-class cricket.
Q3. Which IPL teams has Khaleel Ahmed played for?
Khaleel has played for the following teams:
- Delhi Daredevils (2016)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018–2021)
- Delhi Capitals (2022–2024)
- Chennai Super Kings (2025–present)
He is known for being effective in the Powerplay and has been one of the top wicket-takers in that phase in recent IPL seasons.
