Akeal Hosein

Akeal Hosein is a premier West Indian left-arm spinner who was signed by Chennai Super Kings for ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. A specialized 'powerplay specialist,' Hosein is renowned for his exceptional control and ability to stifle batters during the first six overs. His rise to the global stage was capped in late 2024 when he officially became the number-one ranked T20I bowler in the world, a testament to his tactical discipline and accuracy. Having previously spent time with Sunrisers Hyderabad, he joins the 'Yellow Army' as a strategic replacement for the departing Ravindra Jadeja, bringing a wealth of experience from major T20 leagues like the CPL, BBL, and PSL.

On the international circuit, Hosein has been a pillar of the West Indies' white-ball attack, recently claiming a historic 5/11 against Uganda in the T20 World Cup—the best-ever figures by a West Indian in the tournament's history. He is also a proven match-winner in franchise cricket, famously recording a PSL hat-trick for Quetta Gladiators in 2024. Beyond his bowling, Hosein is a handy lower-order batter with a T20I strike rate of 111.83 and a career-best score of 44 against England. His ability to operate effectively on spin-friendly tracks makes him an invaluable asset for CSK's home games at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.