Chennai Super Kings have confirmed the signing of Australian left arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson as a replacement for the injured Nathan Ellis ahead of the TATA IPL 2026 season. The five time champions acted quickly to reinforce their pace attack after Ellis was ruled out of the entire tournament due to a recurring hamstring injury.
Ellis, aged 31, suffered the setback during a domestic one day final on March 11, forcing CSK to look for an immediate alternative before the start of their campaign. The franchise has secured Johnson for a fee of INR 1.5 crore, bringing in a bowler known for his pace and left arm variation.
Johnson has already gained experience in international cricket, having represented Australia in 13 matches across One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. He has claimed 18 wickets at the international level, including 14 wickets in T20Is from just eight games. His ability to generate bounce and maintain a steady economy rate makes him a valuable addition to the CSK bowling unit.
In the IPL, Johnson is no stranger to Indian conditions. He made his debut with Gujarat Titans after being picked up for a significant sum in the 2024 auction. He later featured for Kolkata Knight Riders, adding to his experience in the league. Across his IPL appearances so far, he has played nine matches and picked up five wickets.
Interestingly, Johnson was recently signed by Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta Gladiators but withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons. The Gladiators subsequently replaced him with West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph.
With CSK aiming to bounce back strongly this season, Johnson’s inclusion adds depth and variety to their bowling lineup. His left arm angle provides a different challenge to batters, something CSK will look to capitalise on as the tournament progresses.
Chennai Super Kings are set to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30, where Johnson could make his debut in the iconic yellow jersey.
