3 players who can replace Nathan Ellis in Chennai Super Kings squad for IPL 2026

The Chennai Super Kings have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the start of the 2026 season with Australian fast-bowler Nathan Ellis set to miss the entire season due to a hamstring injury. The Aussie quick has developed into one of the finest death-over specialists in the shortest format, with an array of slower balls and cutters at his disposal. His style of bowling would suit the conditions at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, and his absence becomes a huge miss for the five-time champions.

Here are 3 players who can replace Nathan Ellis in CSK squad

3. Sean Abbott (Right-arm medium fast)

Sean Abbott has developed himself into a reliable cricketer, becoming a regular name across the franchise circuit. He is a versatile bowler with a knack for picking up wickets and can bowl in all phases of the game. He is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Big Bash League, with 186 scalps, and is a regular name for the Australian team in T20s, picking up 34 wickets in 29 matches.

Aside from that, he has also developed himself into a reliable lower-order batter, capable of scoring vital runs coming in towards the back-end of the innings. He offers an all-round package which allows the Chennai Super Kings to lengthen their batting order without compromising on bowling quality. Abbott’s last appearance in the IPL came in 2022, playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

2. Gerald Coetzee (Right-arm fast)

It was a surprise that no team went for South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee in the IPL auction. The Proteas pacer, although has seen dips in form, possesses a valuable skillset which can add value to his team. His hit-the-deck style of bowling would suit the Chepauk surface and would add balance to what is a new-ball-heavy Chennai Super Kings attack. He can also contribute with the bat in the lower order.

Coetzee has already represented two Super Kings franchises (Johannesburg and Texas), and this makes him a player that the management would be familiar with. His first IPL stint saw him pick up 13 wickets in 10 games for the Mumbai Indians in 2024 and he was signed in the mega auction in 2025 by the Gujarat Titans, playing four matches but just picking up four wickets.

1. Ottniel Baartman

Ottniel Baartman is currently perhaps the best available like-for-like Nathan Ellis replacement. With prowess in bowling at the death, Baartman has been lauded by South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as the best death-bowler he has ever seen. The Proteas quick is known for his accuracy and execution in the back end of the innings and has finished as the highest wicket taker in the 2026 SA20 with 20 scalps in nine games for the Paarl Royals.

Having previously represented Texas Super Kings in the MLC, Baartman is a player that is familiar with Fleming’s set-up, and his inclusion would add much-needed balance to Chennai’s powerplay-heavy pace battery.