IPL 2026: CSK coach confirms one change in playing XI vs MI

Ahead of the match against the Mumbai Indians (MI), the bowling coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Eric Simmons, has confirmed one change in their playing eleven. In an away match of the IPL 2026 season, CSK will take on MI on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium.

CSK has been dealing with multiple injury issues ahead of the season. One of the front-line bowlers, Khaleel Ahmed, has been ruled out for the remainder of IPL 2026, which came as a major blow for the team.

Who will play in place of the injured Khaleel Ahmed?

In place of the injured Indian pacer, the franchise has no option but to name a substitute for their match against the Mumbai Indians. In the pre-match press conference in Mumbai, Eric Simmons confirmed the major replacement.

In place of Khaleel Ahmed, Australian pacer Spencer Johnson is poised to take the field against MI tomorrow evening. In the press conference, the CSK bowling coach confessed that they will miss the combination of Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj on the field.

“Khaleel Ahmed & Anshul Kamboj have been really good for us. Spencer Johnson (Khaleel's replacement) will be in our starting XI tomorrow night,” CSK bowling coach said on the eve of the match.

Khaleel Ahmed injured himself during their previous match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He had to leave the field before finishing the over. Ahmed has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a Grade 2 quadriceps tear sustained against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 14, 2026.  According to reports, the 27-year-old left-arm pacer requires 10-12 weeks of rehabilitation for the high-grade tear and right rectus femoris tendon injury.

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Spencer Joshnson has experience in IPL

Spencer Johnson has joined the team in place of another injured pacer, Nathan Ellis. Ellis ruled out even before the beginning of IPL 2026. Johnson has joined the Yellow camp for INR 1.5 crore (US$160,000 approx.). The 30-year-old left-arm pacer has represented Australia in five ODIs and eight T20Is, and has overall played 71 T20s.

Johnson has prior experience in the Indian Premier League. The Aussie quick has played the Gujarat Titans and the KKR in 2024 and 2025, respectively. He picked up four wickets in five matches for Gujarat in 2024, and in the 2025 season, for KKR, the fast bowler took one wicket in four matches. After the lackluster season, the Knight Riders released the bowler ahead of the 2026 mini auction.

The seamer was about to play for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators for the 2026 edition. Later, he pulled out of PSL 2026, citing personal reasons, and later joined the Chennai Super Kings. In the IPL 2026 auction, he went unsold.

Will MS Dhoni play against the Mumbai Indians?

As of now, MS Dhoni is likely to miss this match too, as he can take some more time to regain his match fitness. Ahead of the match, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad informed that the former cricketer can make a comeback soon.

“We were playing a practice match, which is where he snapped his calf. He wasn't able to run as comfortably as he would like to due to the injury. Since then, it's been all about taking time on his recovery. He is getting there slowly. Maybe he might feature in the next game or the one after that. He will definitely come back one day,” Gaikwad said at an event.