Chennai Super Kings have completed the signing of Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson as a replacement for compatriot Nathan Ellis. The 30-year-old left-arm paceman has joined CSK for Rs 1.5 million, the Indian Premier League confirmed on Tuesday (24).
Johnson was originally slated to play in the Pakistan Super League after being bought by Quetta Gladiators for PKR 5.6 million. However, the Australian quick withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons.
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He will now join a pace unit that includes Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry and Jamie Overton, giving him a boost Super Kings side led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Johnson represented Australia in 13 internationals – five ODIs and eight T20Is – with 18 wickets. He has previously featured in the IPL for Gujarat Titans in 2024 and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025. He took five wickets in nine IPL matches.
Johnson becomes the third player withdraw from PSL and join IPL as a substitute this season. Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani, who has signed up for the Pakistan T20 League, has joined Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who is also contracted in the PSL, has joined Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for Sam Curran.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed his frustration over the players opting for the IPL after being picked in the PSL auction. For the second consecutive year, the PSL calendar clashed with the IPL. While Naqvi argued that scheduling overlap is not a major issue, warned that players who breach contractual obligations would face legal action.
“We will take action against those players as per the rules. A case happened last year too and the same will happen this time,” Naqvi said at a press conference on Sunday.
“Clash with IPL is not a problem because if players go there, we also get excellent players here. We could not afford to postpone PSL as we have no other window in the year,” he added.
Notably, PCB banned South African Corbin Bosch for one year after he quit PSL to join Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
March 24, 2026 6:30 PM IST
