CSK Finalise Replacement For Injured Seamer Ahead Of IPL 2026 Playoffs

Chennai Super Kings [Source: AP]Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2026 campaign has been full of ups and downs both on and off the field. While they have brought themselves back in the competition with some wins, sitting just outside the playoff spots, there are still gaps to be filled in their squad.After the two starters, Nathan Ellis and Ayush Mhatre, were ruled out of the tournament, all-rounder Ramkakrishna Ghosh's season ended due to a fractured right foot right after his debut. Having already replaced Ellis and Mhatre, the CSK management has now locked in their latest signing, who is set to replace Ghosh for the remainder of the season.CSK set to announce Ramakrishna Ghosh's replacementRamakrishna Ghosh, who was coming off a good domestic season for Maharashtra, waited for his opportunity at the beginning of the season and was given a nod against the arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, in Chennai earlier in May.Notably, he also dismissed India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who had started to take on the bowlers and was on 21*(11) with three fours and a six. However, after finishing with 1/24 on the night, his season was officially over due to the fracture.Just over 10 days after the injury, CSK have completed their search to replace Ghosh. As confirmed by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan to Cricbuzz, the five-time IPL winners are set to name Macneil Hadley Noronha as their newest squad member.The replacement will be announced ahead of CSK's must-win clash against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on May 15.Also Read: CSK Punish Their Own Player For Social Show Off, Statement IssuedWho is Macneil Hadley Noronha?The 24-year-old Macneil Hadley Noronha hails from Karnataka and has represented them in three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches, scoring 58 runs at a strike rate of 161.11 and picking 1/29 in one innings.The right-hand batter and off-break bowler has made notable contributions to Mangalore United and Gulbarga Mystics in the Maharaja T20 League.In 10 innings of the tournament in the 2025 season, he scored 253 runs at a strike rate of 148.82, while picking 10 wickets at an economy of just 6.96 runs per over, including 2/26 and 2/25 in the Qualifier and the final, respectively.During the Col. C.K Nayudu Trophy 2024/25, he was the tournament's leading run-scorer with 1037 runs in 8 innings, impressing the selectors and earning a spot in the U23 Rest of India squad.CSK eye IPL 2026 playoffsHaving started the IPL 2026 season with three losses on the bounce, CSK have staged an impressive comeback with 6 wins in the next 8 matches. Now, with 3 matches remaining, their fate is still in their hands, and they can still secure a top-4 finish.Going by the usual standards, they need two wins in three matches to make it to yet another IPL playoff. Their remaining fixtures include LSG away, SRH at home and GT away.Also Read: Watch -Abhishek Sharma Cannot Believe His Luck As Kagiso Rabada Roars At Him After Wicket