Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) search for a replacement for Nathan Ellis has ended. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has confirmed that Ellis is ruled out. In his place, Australian left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson will join CSK for the IPL 2026 season.
CSK rope in Spencer Johnson
Last week, it was reported that Ellis had sustained a hamstring injury during a training session and would not be fit for the tournament. CSK were looking for potential replacements, and there were murmurs that Ottniel Baartman, who was picked up by the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), could replace him.
However, that won’t be happening. Johnson, who’d gone unsold at the IPL 2026, will join CSK for INR 1.50 crore. The left-arm pacer has previously played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025 and the Gujarat Titans in 2024. However, his returns weren’t great.
No death bowling without Nathan Ellis
Ellis’ absence could be a huge cause of concern for CSK. Known for his variations, pace, and cutters, Ellis is considered a middle and death over specialist. Barring him, CSK don’t really have another fast bowler who can play that role. Other foreign fast bowlers like Zak Foulkes and Matt Henry are new-ball bowlers.
Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj fall in the same category. Jamie Overton is someone who hits the pitch hard and can be efficient in the 7 to 15 overs phase, but his skillset is entirely different, and he can’t be trusted in the death overs. Gurjapneet Singh has the ability to play this 16-20 over bowler, but if he plays, then one of Khaleel or Kamboj might have to sit out.
One can play Gurjapneet as an impact substitute, but then you have to remember that he has no IPL experience. He hasn’t made his CSK debut yet. Can you entrust someone who has played just 15 matches in his T20 career?
CSK squad for IPL 2026
MS Dhoni (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis✈️, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad✈️, Spencer Johnson✈️, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton✈️, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein✈️, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma (wk), Matthew Short✈️, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry✈️, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes✈️
