Only a couple of days before the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), it was confirmed that Rahul Chahar, who will play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2026 season, is all set to make a return to England’s County cricket club, Surrey, for the last eight Rothesay County Championship matches this summer.
The Surrey cricket club confirmed the signing of the Indian leg spinner, who played only one match for them before. In the solitary match for the team, Chahar recorded a historic figure of 8/51 against Hampshire.
The exceptional bowling performance by the CSK spinner
In September 2025, Surrey faced Hampshire for a crucial County Championship Division One match in Southampton. In the low-scoring multi-day game, Rahul Chahar caused the difference between the two teams.
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After taking a couple of wickets in the first innings, the Indian spinner claimed 8 wickets in the second. Meanwhile, another Indian spinner, Washington Sundar, was also part of the game, playing for the Hampshire cricket team.
It was Chahar’s lone match for the English club. Ahead of another exciting domestic season, the team values the skills of the Indian spinner. He will be available to play for the team for the final eight matches of the Championship matches, starting with the clash with Hampshire at the Oval, starting on 7 June.
Official statement by the club
“Indian leg spinner Rahul Chahar will return to Surrey for the last eight Rothesay County Championship matches this summer,” the club informed on their official website.
With his impactful bowling spells, especially the second innings’ 8/51, he became the club’s all-time best debutant, breaking William Mudie’s 166-year-old record when he took 7/61 in 1859.
“I’m so excited to be coming back to Surrey this season. I really enjoyed my short spell in 2025 and jumped at the opportunity to come back this season when I spoke to Alec Stewart. Surrey is a successful club, and I want to help the team achieve its goals in 2026,” Rahul Chahar said about the signing.
The official of the club is excited to bring back the CSK spinner
Director of Men’s Cricket of the club, Alec Stewart, said that they are excited to welcome Rahul Chahar again after his heroics in the match. The team is looking forward to winning matches in the championship.
“Rahul came in last year and did an excellent job at Hampshire, showing his qualities. We’re. Looking forward to welcoming him back to the group and seeing how he can contribute to winning games of cricket for Surrey,” Stewart mentioned.
Meanwhile, for the IPL 2026 season, CSK roped in Rahul Chahar for an amount of INR 5.2p crore in the auction. He is expected to feature in the playing eleven of the former IPL champions. He joined CSK after a brief spell with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, where he got to play only one game.
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