CSK sign Spencer Johnson as replacement for Nathan Ellis

Spencer Johnson, a left-arm fast bowler, has been signed by Chennai Super Kings to replace Nathan Ellis before IPL 2026. Johnson has featured in nine IPL matches since making his debut with Gujarat Titans, who brought him to the IPL with a winning bid of INR 10 crore in the 2024 auction. Ellis, 31, was ruled out of the entire season after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury during a domestic one-day final on March 11. The five-time champions have moved swiftly to bring in Johnson, who turned out for Kolkata Knight Riders last year, playing four matches. Incidentally, Johnson was announced as a direct signing by Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta Gladiators. Johnson then pulled out of the PSL citing personal reasons before the Gladiators replaced him with Alzarri Joseph early last week. In the two white-ball formats, Johnson has represented Australia thirteen times. In T20Is, he has picked up 14 wickets from eight matches at an economy rate of 8.96. In the IPL, he has five wickets at an average of 56.80 and an economy of 10.39. He will join CSK at a price of INR 1.5 crore. On March 30, CSK will begin their match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.