Macneil Noronha [Source: X]The Chennai Super Kings have had an injury-marred season, with injuries piling up one after the other. Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and now an effective Ramakrishna Ghosh. Ghosh fractured his right foot on his debut match against Mumbai Indians on May 3, and that called for a quick replacement, especially since Chennai is closing in on the playoff race. CSK found their answer in the 24-year-old from Karnataka, who had been putting up extraordinary numbers in domestic cricket. Macneil Noronha came in as a blessing for the yellow camp, and for the better, he could turn out to be one of the best finds of the season. Who is Macneil Noronha?Noronha was born on September 23, 2001, in Dubai, UAE. However, his family had their roots in Mangaluru, Karnataka, and that connection eventually shaped his cricketing career. Although he grew up in Dubai, he attended and trained at the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy, and by 15, he was already putting up big numbers. He racked up 1740 runs in a single calendar year across competitions in both the UAE and India. A fast track into the UAE senior national team was well in hand by then for Noronha, with his impressive numbers. However, he chose a harder path. He scored a century at a zonal tournament in Bengaluru, and his family decided to relocate to India full-time so he could test himself in domestic cricket in India. Once in India, Noronha worked on his game at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bengaluru and came through the ranks, representing the state in both under-19 and under-23 cricket. Also Read- Phil Salt Injury Update: Will RCB Batter Make IPL 2026 Return Against KKR?Noronha's Achievements That Had Him NoticedNoronha's rise through domestic cricket has been built on a series of performances that had him noticed. The most remarkable of these came in the 2024-25 Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy, where he finished the tournament as its highest run-scorer with 1,037 runs across eight matches. He bagged two triple centuries in the tournament against Tripura and Uttarakhand. Scoring two triple centuries in a single domestic season is something very few batters anywhere in the world manage. This glorious form earned Macneil Noronha a call-up to the prestigious Rest of India Under-23 squad to face domestic champions Punjab. In the T20 format, Macneil's Maharaja Trophy campaign with Mangaluru Dragons was equally impressive. He bagged 253 runs from 13 games at a strike rate of 148.82, hitting 19 sixes along the way. Being an all-rounder, he also contributed with the ball as he took 10 wickets with his off-spin at an economy rate of 7.44. More significantly, his 2 for 25 in the final against the Hubli Tigers helped the Dragons win the title. He also earned a senior Karnataka cap after the tournament, with his debut coming in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, fate had him waiting in the Chennai Super Kings camp. How CSK Found Macneil?Macneil was roped in by CSK as Ramakrishna Ghosh's replacement, with him already being on the radar before being selected. Macneil attended franchise trials for DC, KKR, MI, and CSK, and by all accounts, it was the Chennai setup that came away most impressed. A batter with a strike rate north of 148 in T20 cricket and a bowler who can keep it tight and take wickets was someone CSK were backing. He showed the selectors that he can shift gears when the situation demands, and the temperament in such a young talent would be something that CSK would like to utilize. How Macneil Noronha Will Be Effective For CSK in IPL 2026?CSK are replacing Ramakrishna Ghosh with Noronha, who fits the profile well and in some ways offers more. Noronha's ability to bat at number 4, 5, or even 6 can give CSK a player who might accelerate from ball one. He does not take much time to settle, and for a franchise that has relied heavily on finishing from the lower middle order, that is an important quality.His off-spin adds genuine value as well since, in the Maharaja Trophy, he picked up 10 wickets at an economy of 7.44, further adding to his reliability with the ball. Now, CSK are currently without Khaleel Ahmed and are working through a depleted bowling attack. While Noronha is not a primary seamer, his ability to contribute four economical overs of spin takes pressure off the main bowlers. Noronha is coming in at a point where CSK have found form in the second half of the season despite their injury problems. Hence, he does not need to carry the team, yet he needs to do his job and bat with intent in the middle order. For a player who once chose the harder path when an easier one with the UAE was available, IPL cricket for the five-time champions is the next challenge for Macneil Noronha to take on.Also Read- Australia Squad For T20 World Cup Announced; 3 RCB Players Included
