India left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed has joined Essex for the rest of the County Championship and the whole of One-Day Cup. The 27-year-old is all set to make his entry into the English county system. Khaleel, who had a remarkable Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with Chennai Super Kings, claiming 15 wickets, the seamer will now join Essex, aiming to bolster their bowling attack in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. His County tenure, planned to last until late September, consists of six first-class matches and as many as ten List A games subject to Essex's One-Day Cup performance. Ahmed will be ready for Essex's next County Championship match against Yorkshire, the match to start on Sunday in York. Here is what Ahmed told Essexcricket “I am thrilled to sign for Essex. I have heard a lot about the rich history of the Club, and I’m excited to be part of it and will look to make an immediate impact. I’m looking forward to playing at Chelmsford, meeting the loyal Essex Members and fans, and delivering performances they can be proud of,” Read also: Mandhana Smashes T20I Ton, India Beat England by 97 Runs Essex Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood greeted the Indian pacer and spoke about his performances for India A and his four-wicket haul versus the England Lions, a deciding reason. Ahmed has played 11 ODIs for India, taking 15 wickets at 31.00. In first-class cricket, he has taken 56 wickets in 20 games at 27.67. “We are really pleased to be bringing Khaleel into the Club. We were impressed with his performances for India A and firmly believe he can strengthen our already very strong seam attack. As a left-arm seamer, he offers something different and will add a new dynamic to the squad in both the One Day Cup and the County Championship,” Silverwood said. Essex, meanwhile, are desperate to turn their Division One struggles around after only managing one win from eight games and are looking to Khaleel to provide the lift they need. Khaleel becomes one of several Indian players taking part in County cricket in 2025. Others include Ishan Kishan with Nottinghamshire, Tilak Varma at Hampshire, Ruturaj Gaikwad for Yorkshire, and Yuzvendra Chahal representing Northamptonshire on short-term contracts