The Chennai Super Kings have made a strategic mid-season addition, signing Karnataka all-rounder Macneil Noronha as a replacement for the injured Ramakrishna Ghosh for the remainder of IPL 2026. The move comes as CSK look to bolster their squad amid a growing list of injuries.
Ghosh, who was making his IPL debut this season, suffered a fracture to his right foot during the team's match against the Mumbai Indians on May 3rd and has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. Noronha joins the franchise for a fee of Rs 30 lakh.
The 24-year-old Noronha arrives with impressive credentials. He was recently honored with the MA Chidambaram Trophy at the BCCI Naman Awards, recognizing him as the highest run-scorer in the 2024-25 Colonel CK Nayudu Trophy (U-23). This domestic recognition earned him a call-up to Karnataka's squad for the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he featured in three matches, scoring 58 runs and claiming one wicket.
Noronha has also shown his ability to perform under pressure, smashing a quickfire 34 and taking a wicket with his off-spin against Tripura. His form continued in the Maharaja Trophy, where he was instrumental in the Mangaluru Dragons' title-winning campaign. He scored 253 runs at an impressive strike rate of 148.82, including 19 sixes in 13 matches. With the ball, he proved equally effective, taking 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.44, including figures of 2/25 in the final against Hubli Tigers.
Ghosh's injury is the latest setback for CSK in what has been a challenging IPL 2026 campaign. The franchise has already lost left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and batter Ayush Mhatre for the season. Australian quick Nathan Ellis was ruled out before the tournament even began, and his replacement, Spencer Johnson, has only recently returned from injury. Adding to their woes, veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has been sidelined since the start of the season with a calf strain.
Despite these challenges, CSK remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, and the addition of a dynamic all-rounder like Noronha could provide the spark they need in the second half of the season.