Nathan Ellis faces another spell on the sidelines after the Australia quick re-injured his right hamstring during Tasmania’s rain-affected One-Day Cup final against New South Wales on 11 March. The 31-year-old sent down five overs, picked up 2 for 26, but felt discomfort that scans later confirmed was “a recurrence of an old strain”, according to Cricket Tasmania’s medical update.
Chennai Super Kings had retained Ellis for INR 2 crore (about £170,000) and expected him to spearhead their pace attack. A franchise official said the camp was “waiting on the final medical report but preparing for the possibility that Nathan won’t be available this season.” No formal replacement has been named.
If Ellis is ruled out, the overseas fast-bowling options shrink to Matt Henry, Jamie Overton and Zak Foulkes. Among the Indian seamers, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh and Mukesh Choudhary remain in contention, with all-rounders Shivam Dube and Aman Khan offering additional overs.
Ellis’s IPL career is a curious one. Sixteen of his 17 appearances came for Punjab Kings between 2021 and 2024; his solitary outing for CSK last year produced tidy figures but he has yet to establish himself in yellow. “Nathan’s skill at the death is obvious,” former Australia pacer Ryan Harris said on a domestic radio show this week. “The frustration is simply his body not letting him string games together.”
CSK begin their 2026 campaign on 30 March against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, followed by home fixtures versus Punjab Kings on 3 April and Delhi Capitals on 11 April. A trip to Bengaluru to face the defending champions Royal Challengers awaits in between on 5 April.
The squad is already gathering in Chennai; Thursday’s social-media post featuring new signing Sanju Samson read: “Welcome to the Lions’ Den, Sanju!” As for Ellis, medical staff will decide in the coming days whether rehabilitation or surgery offers the quicker path back.
CSK finished bottom in 2025, winning four of 14 matches. Losing an experienced death bowler is hardly ideal, yet the management insists contingency plans are in place. More developments are expected once the final medical assessment is complete.
