Khaleel Ahmed Joins Essex County Cricket Club for Full Season
Khaleel Ahmed's New Chapter in English Cricket
Khaleel Ahmed, the left-arm pacer from India, has officially signed a full-season contract with Essex County Cricket Club, marking his debut in the English domestic cricket scene. The 26-year-old cricketer will participate in both red-ball and one-day formats throughout the entire 2025 season. His first appearance for Essex is set to be in the County Championship match against Yorkshire, scheduled from June 29 to July 2.
Recently, Khaleel played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 and has also been part of the India A squad earlier this year. Although he was not selected for the current five-Test series against England, he remains a potential candidate for future red-ball matches. His inclusion in the India A team indicates that selectors are keeping an eye on him for long-format opportunities. Despite not having played Test cricket yet, Khaleel has represented India in 11 ODIs and 12 T20Is since his debut during the 2018 Asia Cup. His last appearance for the national team was during the 2024 tour of Sri Lanka, and he was also a reserve player for the T20 World Cup later that year.
Essex's Schedule and Khaleel's Role
Khaleel's signing is reminiscent of Gautam Gambhir's previous stint with Essex, where he aimed for a national comeback. Now serving as the head coach of the Indian team, Gambhir's journey parallels Khaleel's as he seeks to enhance his red-ball credentials at Essex.
After his debut against Yorkshire, Khaleel will next play on July 22 against Sussex. He is also scheduled for a red-ball match against Warwickshire from July 29 to August 1. Following this, the focus will shift to the one-day championship, with league matches taking place from August 5 to 26, culminating in semi-finals on August 31 and the final on September 20. Khaleel will return to red-ball cricket starting September 8, participating in three additional championship matches.
This opportunity represents Khaleel's longest first-class experience outside of India, providing him with crucial match exposure in formats where selectors are evaluating long-term player depth.