The Chennai Super Kings are making a strategic move to shore up their injury-ravaged squad for IPL 2026. According to reports, the franchise is set to sign Karnataka's Macneil Hadley Noronha as a replacement for the injured all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh, who was ruled out after fracturing his foot during the May 2 clash against Mumbai Indians.
Noronha, 24, is no stranger to making headlines. The UAE-raised batter enjoyed a breakout 2024-25 C.K. Nayudu Trophy campaign, finishing as the tournament's highest run-scorer with a staggering 1,037 runs in just eight matches. His standout feat? Two triple centuries—against Uttarakhand and Tripura—that had scouts scrambling for their notepads.
After those heroics, Noronha didn't just rest on his laurels. He attended trials with multiple IPL heavyweights, including Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and CSK, impressing during each outing. His performances also earned him a spot in the Rest of India Under-23 squad, and he was a key member of the title-winning Mangalore Dragons in the Maharaja Cup, where he even chipped in with two wickets in the final. In three T20 matches for Karnataka so far, he's scored 58 runs and taken one wicket—a promising start for a player who spent most of his childhood honing his skills in the UAE.
This signing couldn't come at a better time for CSK. The 2026 season has been a nightmare on the injury front. The campaign opened without premier pacer Nathan Ellis, who was ruled out before a ball was bowled. Then came MS Dhoni's calf issue—the five-time IPL-winning captain has yet to feature this season. South African batter Dewald Brevis missed the early games with a side strain, while Indian pacer Khaleel Ahmed and young batter Ayush Mhatre have also been sidelined. Ramakrishna Ghosh's foot fracture is just the latest blow in a growing list that has tested CSK's depth to its limits.
As the Super Kings look to steady the ship, all eyes will be on Noronha—a batter with a golden touch and a point to prove. Can he bring his domestic form to the big stage? CSK fans will be hoping so.