How did CSK replacement player Spencer Johnson perform last IPL season?

Spencer Johnson went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

As per the various media reports, Australian left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson has joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a replacement for Nathan Ellis, who will miss the whole Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season due to a hamstring injury. The five-time champions let go of Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the 2026 IPL mini-auction last year.

Thus, CSK were in dire need of a player they could trust in the death overs, and they put their trust in Ellis’, whom they retained ahead of IPL 2026 auction. However, to their unfortunate, the Australian pacer was ruled out of the entire tournament. This made CSK add Johnson as a replacement. Johnson, who pulled out of the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to personal reasons, is himself in rehab, but is expected to join his new team soon.

Johnson has played eight T20Is for Australia and has picked up 14 wickets, with his best figures being 5/26. The 30-year-old’s addition to CSK’s pace line-up has come forward as a last-minute replacement; however, the left-arm fast bowler has the potential to play a key role in the upcoming edition of the IPL.

How did Spencer Johnson perform in the last edition of IPL?

Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the last season, Spencer Johnson played only 4 games throughout the campaign. He took 1 wicket, and his best figures were 1/42, with an average of 133. His only wicket came against the Rajasthan Royals, where he dismissed Jofra Archer.

During the 2024 season, he played five matches for the Gujarat Titans, taking four wickets with an economy rate of 9.4. Johnson’s league statistics have not been very promising, as the Aussie bowler has struggled to get his feet set on Indian pitches. However, the 30-year-old has got a chance to take redemption.

Johnson often uses a slower ball; plus, he could turn out to be a wicket-taking threat against right-handed batters. He will join Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Jamie Overton and Matt Henry in CSK’s pace department. However, fans won’t see him in action for the first 2-3 weeks because he’s still undergoing rehabilitation for a back injury.

Chennai Super Kings will play their opening game of the season against inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals on Monday, March 30, at the Barsapara Stadium.

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