Rajasthan leg-spinner Rahul Chahar is set to join Jammu and Kashmir as a guest player for the ongoing 2026-27 domestic season, Kashmir Sports Watch has learned exclusively through sources.
The 27-year-old India international is likely to make his J&K debut in the team’s third Ranji Trophy match against Baroda, as the defending champions look to strengthen their spin department.
“J&K have been looking for a good leg-spinner and since Rahul Chahar brings a lot of experience to the table, he has been signed,” a source told Kashmir Sports Watch.
Chahar has represented India in six T20 internationals and one ODI. A right-arm leg-spinner, he has also been a regular in the Indian Premier League (IPL), featuring for franchises including Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. He also recently played county cricket for Surrey in England.
The move comes as J&K look to build on their historic Ranji Trophy triumph last season. Having won their maiden title in 2025-26, the team will be keen to maintain its competitiveness while managing the demands of another long domestic campaign.
J&K had previously brought in Tamil Nadu leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin in a similar guest-player role. However, Ashwin featured for the team in white-ball cricket and was not part of its red-ball setup. He recently retired from Indian cricket, opening the door for Chahar’s signing.
J&K already have experienced batter Paras Dogra as a guest player. Dogra, who captained the side during its historic Ranji Trophy-winning campaign, remains an important part of the team’s plans in the red-ball set-up.
