Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday dealt with a major blow, as Nathan Ellis, one of their regulars who was bought for INR 2 crore ahead of IPL 2025, has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 due to injury concerns.
Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, CSK had the second-highest purse remaining, only behind Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
However, the five-time IPL champions left everyone by surprise, as they spent majorly on youngsters with an aim to build an empire for the future.
Even though CSK had two overseas pace-bowling all-rounders in Zak Foulkes and Jamie Overton, and one specialist overseas pacer in Matt Henry for IPL 2026, they still require someone to replace the injured Nathan Ellis, keeping in mind that IPL is a long season.
Here’s let’s take three top candidates who could replace Nathan Ellis for IPL 2026.
Spencer Johnson
Ever since Spencer Johnson pulled out of PSL 2026, the rumours are everywhere that his next potential destination could be CSK. Moreover, Johnson, who had a base price of INR 1.5 crore in the last IPL auction, has IPL experience as well, having represented Gujarat Titans and KKR in the past.
Criterion
IPL
BBL
Matches
9
28
Wickets
5
41
Average
56.8
19.21
Economy Rate
10.39
7.55
[Spencer Johnson IPL & BBL Stats]
As mentioned above, Johnson’s numbers in IPL and BBL are very drastic. Therefore, the left-arm quick from Australia, who was once projected as Mitchell Starc’s successor for his country, would be desperately looking to prove his mettle in India’s cash-rich league.
Daniel Sams
Similar to Johnson, Daniel Sams bowls left-arm quick, and can be handy with the bat as well. The profile is very much like-for-like replacement for Nathan Ellis, who tends to chip in with important contributions with the willow as well.
Sams registered himself in the last IPL auction with a base price of INR 1 crore. Unfortunately, he could not find a buyer. Now, with the consistency he had proven in the BBL over the years and the form he had in the latest as well, he could be an excellent replacement for Nathan Ellis in IPL 2026.
Not to forget, Sams previously represented for IPL teams: Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Ben Sears
Ben Sears had a base price of INR 1.5 crore in IPL 2026 auction, only to see him go unsold. However, keeping in mind that CSK prefers to have a Kiwi regular, with Stephen Fleming sitting at the helm, don’t be surprised if Sears gets an IPL opportunity out of nowhere.
Criterion
T20Is
T20s
Matches
23
64
Wickets
28
85
Average
22.35
20.96
Economy Rate
8.21
20.96
[Ben Sears Stats]
More significantly, Sears has been in excellent form lately, having got 3/14 and 2/27 in New Zealand’s last two T20Is against South Africa. Given the fact that he has been doing great, the 28-year-old could get a nod for the IPL 2026 with Ellis no longer be available.
Conclusion
Even though there are some big names like Naveen Ul Haq, Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson in the unsold pacers list for IPL 2026 auction, CSK should opt to get someone who has been in rich vein of form.
Among them, Sears and Sams are the two best candidates for Nathan Ellis replacement. Johnson could be a brilliant pick as well, and it will be interesting to see whom they eventually get.
CSK Squad For IPL 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes
Nathan Ellis For CSK (Source: AFP Photos)
