‘Who will bowl at the death?’ – Aakash Chopra raises major concern for CSK as injury rules key pacer out of IPL 2026

Aakash Chopra opined that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could struggle with their bowling in the death overs after Nathan Ellis was ruled out of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former India opener added that after releasing Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, the five-time champions do not have a tried-and-tested bowler for the death overs in their ranks.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed during an interaction with Sportstar on Thursday, March 19, that Nathan Ellis would miss the impending season of the cash-rich league due to a hamstring injury. The former admitted that Eliss is a key bowler for the Men in Yellow in the death overs.

Chopra said that while CSK have a lot of seam-bowling options in their ranks, they do not have someone who can fill the void created by Ellis’ absence.

“If Nathan Ellis has been ruled out, then who will bowl at the death? Before the auction, CSK released Matheesha Pathirana. Yes, he was their death bowler, but there were concerns over his fitness and they were right. We still don’t know for how many matches he will be available for KKR. His form also had dipped a but, so maybe they got it right,” Chopra said in a video posted on X.

“However, when they released Pathirana, the focus shifted to Nathan Ellis being their death bowler. But, if Ellis is also not there, then who will bowl the death overs? CSK have Matt Henry, Jamie Overton, Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj and Gurjapneet Singh. But, none of them are death bowling specialists. Death bowling is now a big concern and Ellis’ absence a serious blow,” he added.

Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, and Jamie Overton are the three overseas seamers available in CSK’s line-up. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side is set to begin their campaign in IPL 2026 on Monday, March 30, when they face the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.