Chennai Super Kings Sign Macneil Noronha Amid Mounting Injury Crisis
NEW DELHI — The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are finalizing terms to sign Karnataka standout Macneil Hadley Noronha as an injury replacement for Ramakrishna Ghosh for the remainder of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. The roster adjustment comes after Ghosh sustained a foot fracture following the May 2 fixture against the Mumbai Indians, ruling the all-rounder out of the tournament.
Mounting Injury Woes for CSK
Ghosh’s departure marks the latest in a severe string of medical setbacks for the five-time champions. The Chennai-based franchise has struggled to maintain a consistent starting XI throughout the 2026 campaign, significantly disrupting their lineup strategy.
The current CSK injury roster includes several high-profile absences:
- MS Dhoni: The veteran wicketkeeper-batter has missed the entire season to date while recovering from a calf strain.
- Nathan Ellis: The Australian fast bowler was ruled out prior to the season opener.
- Khaleel Ahmed: The left-arm Indian pacer remains sidelined.
- Ayush Mhatre: The top-order batter is unavailable due to an undisclosed injury.
Additionally, South African batter Dewald Brevis missed the opening phase of the tournament due to a side strain, though he has since returned to active play.
The Rise of Macneil Hadley Noronha
To fill the void, CSK management turned to 24-year-old Noronha, whose domestic stock skyrocketed during the 2024-25 Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy. Spending his formative years in the UAE, Noronha developed a reputation for marathon innings. He impressed scouts during pre-season trials for the Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings.
His performance earned him a call-up to the Rest of India Under-23 squad and a contract with the Mangalore Dragons in the Maharaja Trophy, where he secured two wickets in the championship match.
Domestic Statistics Summary
Noronha’s recent domestic statistics demonstrate his potential value to the Super Kings’ top order:
| Tournament/Format | Matches | Runs | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.K. Nayudu Trophy (2024-25) | 8 | 1,037 | Tournament’s leading run-scorer; two triple centuries (vs Uttarakhand and Tripura) |
| Domestic T20s (Karnataka) | 3 | 58 | 1 wicket; aggressive middle-order strike rate |
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is expected to formally approve the roster change this week. Noronha will join a depleted CSK locker room needing immediate top-order stability to secure a playoff berth. For complete match coverage, player statistics, and official team standings, refer to ESPNcricinfo.