Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have acquired the services of 24-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Macneil Hadley Noronha as replacement for injured pace-bowling all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh for the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
As per a report by Cricbuzz, CSK are yet to make an official announcement as they await the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) approval to finalise the signing.
Who is Macneil Hadley Noronha?
Noronha has played just three games for Karnataka in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He can bat at the top or the middle order. From three appearances, he scored 58 runs at a strike rate of 161.11. He can contribute with off-spin as well.
The 24-year-old proved his mettle as a big hitter in Maharaj Trophy 2025, helping Mangaluru Dragons win the title. From 13 games, he scored 253 runs at a strike rate of 148.82. He hit a total of 19 sixes and also contributed with 10 wickets. His economy rate was also impressive at 7.44 runs per over.
Noronha has two triple centuries to his name in Col CK Nayudu Trophy 2024-25. He scored a triple century each against Tripura and Uttarakhand. In the red-ball tournament, he scored 1,037 runs from 14 innings at an average of 39.77.
CSK’s injury list and replacements in IPL 2026
Ghosh is CSK's third injury replacement player this season. They have already replaced Australia’s Nathan Ellis with his countryman Spencer Johnson, Ayush Mhatre with pacer Akash Madhwal. Khaleel Ahmed has also been ruled out of the tournament whereas MS Dhoni is yet to play a game this season after a calf injury. Khaleel’s replacement is yet to be announced.
CSK’s next game
CSK are to face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) away from home after beating them at home last week. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has said that Dhoni’s flight ticket to Lucknow has been booked. However, he did not confirm whether Dhoni will play against Rishabh Pant’s LSG on May 15 after missing the five-time IPL-winning franchise’s 11 games this season.
CSK alive in playoffs race
After a poor start, CSK have managed to find the right team combination despite injuries to key players. They are currently placed fifth on the points table with six wins from 11 games. They need two wins from remaining three games to have a chance of making it to playoffs. If they win all remaining games, they will have a confirmed spot in the last four. After LSG clash, they will host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home on May 18. Their last league game is against Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 21 in Ahmedabad.