IPL 2026: Spencer Johnson joins CSK as replacement for Nathan Ellis

Five-time IPL champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has picked Australian pacer Spencer Johnson as its replacement for the injured Nathan Ellis, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

The 30-year-old left arm pacer, who has previously played for the Gujarat Titans and the Kolkata Knight Riders, will don the yellow colours of CSK in 2026, after going unsold in the auction which was held in December.

It was widely speculated that Johnson was one of the front-runners to replace Ellis at CSK after he pulled out of his PSL 2026 contract with Quetta Gladiators a week ago. He had also posted a story on his Instagram a few days ago with a comment featuring the ‘lion’ and the ‘yellow heart’ emojis, symbolic of the CSK franchise.

The Australian is known for his versatility of taking the new ball as well as bowling at the death, his ability to swing the ball both ways, and consistently clocking in deliveries over 150 kmph.

Johnson has an ordinary record in the IPL so far, having taken five wickets from nine innings across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, while going at an economy rate of over 10 runs per over. The pacer is also returning from an extended period on the sidelines, caused by a stress fracture in his back.

Published on Mar 24, 2026