CSK's Nathan Ellis to miss IPL 2026 with hamstring injury

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt a major blow ahead of IPL 2026, with pacer Nathan Ellis ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

The 31-year-old Australian seamer recently featured for Tasmania in the Australian One-Day Cup final. He has a history with hamstring issues, having missed the knockout stage of the Big Bash League (BBL) with a similar niggle while leading the Hobart Hurricanes.

CSK confirmed they are weighing replacement options from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP), which contains over 1,300 players. Ellis was expected to lead CSK's death-bowling attack, a role made more critical after the franchise released Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the player auction.

Other Injury Updates:

• Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad): The Australian has been ruled out of what would have been his maiden IPL season. SRH had acquired him for INR 3 crore at the auction. The specifics of his injury are unknown.
• Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad): The franchise is also sweating over the availability of their regular skipper. Ishan Kishan has been named captain for the opening matches, which Cummins is confirmed to miss.
• Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals): The all-rounder, traded from CSK, is also set to be ruled out of IPL 2026 with a groin injury. Curran was part of England's recent T20 World Cup squad.

It remains to be seen if the Royals and Sunrisers will explore replacement options from the RAPP.

IPL 2026 will commence on March 28 with SRH facing defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.