Overview:
Henry is known for his wicket-taking abilities with the new ball, but he has been ordinary in the closing stages of the game.
Chennai Super Kings suffered a big blow ahead of the IPL 2026, with fast bowler Nathan Ellis ruled out of the upcoming season. The 31-year-old Australian player has suffered a hamstring injury and is unlikely to recover.
“It is a big blow. Nathan Ellis is a crucial fast bowler, especially in the death overs. We are looking for a replacement,” CSK CEO K.S. Viswanthan told The Hindu.
The fans welcomed his addition to the squad after the departure of Matheesha Pathirana, who joined the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 18 crore.
With Ellis out of the tournament, New Zealand speedster Matt Henry is expected to take his place in the Playing XI. He has been magnificent in T20Is, taking 53 wickets in 43 matches at an economy rate of 8.50. However, Henry was below par for Lucknow Super Giants in 2024, where he claimed 1 wicket in four contests at an economy rate of 9.16.
Henry is known for his wicket-taking abilities with the new ball, but he has been ordinary in the closing stages of the game. Chennai need a bowler, who can be impactful in the death overs and there is a possibility of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and head coach Stephen Fleming giving a chance to England’s Jamie Overton.
CSK’s schedule in IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings will compete in their first match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati. They will clash with the Punjab Kings, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Delhi Capitals next, on April 3, 5 and 11, respectively.
Chennai finished last in the previous season, and they would be under pressure to improve their performances. The decision-makers have added new players to the team with the hope of winning the sixth IPL title. A lot will depend on the contributions of uncapped players, who were bought in the mega auction. With no Ravindra Jadeja in the franchise, MS Dhoni will once again play an important role.