Cricket News, IPL 2026, IPL 2026:, Cricket Updates
Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Australian left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson as a replacement for compatriot Nathan Ellis ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
Ellis has been ruled out of the tournament after aggravating a recurring hamstring injury during the domestic One-Day Cup final on March 11. The fast bowler, who was retained by CSK for INR 2 crore before the auction, had featured in just one match for the franchise in the 2025 season.
Johnson, 30, joins CSK for INR 1.5 crore. The left-armer brings international experience, having represented Australia in five ODIs and eight T20Is, along with 71 T20 appearances overall. However, he has not played top-level cricket since last year’s IPL due to a back injury that also sidelined him from the Big Bash League and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Despite recent injury setbacks, Johnson has prior IPL experience. He was picked up by Gujarat Titans in 2024 for a surprising INR 10 crore during the accelerated auction round, where he claimed four wickets in five matches. In 2025, he represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), taking one wicket in four games after being signed for INR 2.80 crore. He was released ahead of the 2026 auction and went unsold.
Earlier this year, Johnson had signed with Quetta Gladiators for the Pakistan Super League but withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons.
With Johnson’s inclusion, CSK’s overseas pace attack now features Matt Henry, Jamie Overton, and Zak Foulkes. Their Indian fast-bowling options include Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary, Anshul Kamboj, and Gurjapneet Singh, alongside allrounders Shivam Dube and Aman Khan.
CSK will be hoping Johnson can quickly regain fitness and form as they look to strengthen their bowling unit ahead of the new IPL season.
