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Rahul Chahar Returns to Surrey for Final Eight County Championship Matches

Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar will rejoin Surrey for the final eight matches of the 2026 County Championship season. His return follows a spectacular debut in 2025 where he took a club-record 8/51 against Hampshire. Chahar will be available from June 7 after completing his commitments with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Surrey's director of cricket, Alec Stewart, expressed his delight at welcoming back the talented bowler to help the team challenge for the title.

Key Points: Rahul Chahar Rejoins Surrey for County Championship Run-In

  • Chahar returns after stunning 2025 debut
  • Will join after IPL 2026 with CSK
  • Took record 8/51 on Surrey debut
  • Aims to help Surrey reclaim title
  • Surrey start season April 3 vs Warwickshire
2 min read

Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar to rejoin Surrey for final eight County Championship games

Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar will return to Surrey County Cricket Club for the final eight matches of the 2026 County Championship season.

"I'm so excited to be coming back to Surrey this season. - Rahul Chahar"

London, March 26

India leg-spinner Rahul Chahar will return to Surrey for their final eight matches in the upcoming County Championship season, the club said on Thursday. Chahar, 26, made a stunning debut for Surrey last year, claiming 10 wickets in a victory over Hampshire, including second-innings figures of 8/51.

They are also the best figures by a debutant bowler in the club's history, breaking William Mudie's 166-year-old record of figures of 7/61 in 1859. Chahar has represented India seven times in white-ball cricket and will be available from June 7 when Surrey face Hampshire at The Oval, after his commitments with five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026 are over.

"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," said Chahar in a statement.

Chahar has taken 101 wickets in 27 first-class matches and was part of the Mumbai Indians' IPL-winning squads in 2019 and 2020. He previously played for Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL before being acquired by CSK at last year's auction in Abu Dhabi.

Surrey's director of cricket, Alec Stewart, said, "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."

Surrey won the County Championship Division One title from 2022 to 2024, and finished as runners-up last season behind champions Nottinghamshire. They will open their 2026 campaign against Warwickshire in Birmingham on April 3.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is brilliant exposure. Playing in different conditions will only make him better. But I hope the BCCI manages his workload properly between IPL, county, and national duties. We don't want another burnout case.
A
Aman W
8/51 on debut in England? Wah! That's some serious talent. Hope he carries this form into the IPL for CSK and then for Surrey. The more our players go abroad, the better for Team India.
S
Sarah B
Interesting move. It shows Surrey really values him. His first-class record is impressive (101 wickets in 27 matches). If he performs well, could he be a dark horse for the Test squad on the next England tour?
K
Karthik V
Good for him, but let's be honest, he's way down the pecking order for India behind Chahal, Kuldeep, Bishnoi. He needs to consistently take bags of wickets in the Ranji Trophy first to be seriously considered.
M
Meera T
So proud! Representing a historic club like Surrey and making history himself. This is the kind of experience money can't buy. All the best, Rahul! 👏

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