IPL 2026 Injury Replacements: Overseas Players Who Can Join

Potential overseas replacement options for IPL 2026 [Source: X]

Days ahead of the IPL 2026, franchises across the country find themselves in a crisis, as the injury list continues to pile on. Several prominent overseas names are reportedly set to miss the season or a huge chunk of it, putting the teams in a precarious position to find last-minute replacements.

According to the latest reports, Nathan Ellis (CSK) and Sam Curran (RR) are already out with hamstring and groin injuries, respectively. Jack Edwards (SRH) has also joined the list with his foot injury.

Apart from these names, as confirmed by Cricket Australia, the trio of Mitchell Starc (DC), Pat Cummins (SRH) and Josh Hazlewood (RCB) are set to miss the start of the season. Cummins has been recovering from a back injury throughout the Aussie summer, and Hazlewood is nursing an Achilles issue. The duo also missed the recent T20 World Cup.

Lastly, Lockie Ferguson (PBKS) is also set to miss the first phase of IPL 2026 on paternity leave, and Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) is waiting for an NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket to join the Knight Riders camp. Availability of Wanindu Hasaranga (LSG) is also under threat after his hamstring injury in the recent T20 mega event.

As the injuries hound IPL 2026, we take a look at the replacement options available to franchises ahead of the season.

5 Players Who Can Join IPL 2026 As Injury Replacements

1. Ottneil Baartman (SA)

Ottneil Baartman is currently one of the hottest commodities in the pace bowling department available for IPL franchises to rope in after he has pulled out of the PSL 11 season. At 33, he is yet to play any IPL match but has been around with franchises after SA20 and MLC stints with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Paarl Royals and Texas Super Kings.

After missing out on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, he lit the SA20 2025/26 season on fire and ended as the leading wicket-taker. He notably also picked a hat-trick in Paarl Royals' run to the playoffs.

Extending his ties with the Super Kings' set-up, he is heavily linked to a move to CSK to replace Nathan Ellis.

Criterion	Details
Innings	9
Wickets	20
Economy rate	9.13
Best figures	5/16
Avg/SR	13.55/9.13
4W/5W	1/1

(Ottneil Baartman in SA20 2025/26)

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2. Spencer Johnson (AUS)

Ahead of IPL 2026, the lanky left-arm Australian pacer, Spencer Johnson, has previously played in the league for the Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders and has also recently snubbed PSL due to personal reasons.

Having suffered a back injury, Johnson missed the recent season of the BBL and subsequently missed the flight for the T20 World Cup. However, after returning to full fitness, he is yet another option for the teams on a watch with experience of playing in India.

Criterion	Details
Innings	9
Wickets	5
Economy rate	10.39
Best figures	2/25
Avg/SR	56.80/32.8
4W/5W	0/0

(Spencer Johnson IPL stats)

3. Gerald Coetzee (SA)

The 25-year-old South African pacer, Gerald Coetzee, recently returned to international action in the tour of New Zealand and picked 2/14 and 1/28 in the first two matches. After suffering his fair share of injuries, he looks to be back in rhythm and has been consistently playing cricket in the last few months.

Before IPL 2026, he had previously played for MI and GT in the league. Apart from the two teams, he has been in the Texas Super Kings, Joburg Super Kings and Durban's Super Giants and could be another option who can be called up for IPL 2026.

Criterion	Details
Innings	14
Wickets	14
Economy rate	10.37
Best figures	4/34
Avg/SR	31.46/18.2
4W/5W	1/0

(Gerald Coetzee IPL stats)

4. Riley Meredith (AUS)

Currently contracted with Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL, Riley Meredith is the highest wicket-taking Australian bowler in T20s since January 2025. He picked 14 wickets in 12 matches of the recent BBL season with Hobart Hurricanes and can bowl in both powerplay and the death overs.

In both phases of play, he is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in T20s since January 2025, with 28 wickets (in PP) and 35 wickets (in 15-20 overs). He wouldn't be a first-choice option, but if he pulls out of the BBL, he can be a handy option for teams in IPL 2026.

5. Gudakesh Motie (WI)

Gudakesh Motie was picked up in PSL 11 by Lahore Qalandars, but he has pulled out of the tournament and could be on Lucknow Super Giants' watch to replace Wanindu Hasaranga.

In the T20 World Cup, he bowled exceptionally for 10 wickets in 7 matches and has multiple variations in his arsenal — the latest being a wrist spin delivery. Although he is a bowler, he can add quick and handy runs down the order and is a suitable option for the Lucknow pitch.