Ellis, Curran and Edwards All Ruled Out as IPL 2026 Loses Key Overseas Players Before a Ball Is Bowled
The injury list keeps growing and the tournament has not even started yet. With the opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 now just nine days away, at least four franchises are dealing with the loss of overseas players who were expected to feature heavily in their first-choice lineups.
Ellis gone for the whole season
Chennai Super Kings confirmed on March 19 that Australian pacer Nathan Ellis will miss the entire IPL 2026 campaign with a hamstring injury picked up during the Big Bash League. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said the franchise is actively looking for a replacement. Ellis, bought for 2 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, was expected to lead CSK's death bowling. New Zealand's Matt Henry, already part of the squad after being picked up for 2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini auction, looks the most likely option to step into the XI alongside Jamie Overton and Zak Foulkes.
Curran set to miss entire tournament for Rajasthan Royals
Sam Curran's move from Chennai Super Kings to Rajasthan Royals in a trade deal was supposed to give Riyan Parag's side a reliable all-rounder. Instead, the England left-armer is expected to miss the whole season with a groin injury. The 27-year-old had a forgettable IPL 2025, managing 114 runs and one wicket in five matches for CSK, and now faces another setback before he has even pulled on the pink jersey. Rajasthan Royals are exploring their options, particularly for death bowling cover.
Edwards out, Ferguson delayed
Sunrisers Hyderabad have lost Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards for the season. The franchise paid 3 crore for him, and while the nature of his injury has not been disclosed, his absence leaves a gap in their middle-order balance. SRH are already without regular captain Pat Cummins for the opening fixtures, with Ishan Kishan appointed as stand-in skipper and Abhishek Sharma named vice-captain.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will start without Lockie Ferguson. The New Zealand quick has delayed his arrival to spend time with his newborn child. His absence leaves a hole in the PBKS pace attack for their opener against Gujarat Titans on March 31, though he is expected to join the squad once the tournament is underway. Ben Dwarshuis is among the alternatives being considered.
Not the only ones under pressure
These four cases add to an injury picture that was already building. Harshit Rana is expected to miss most of the season for Kolkata Knight Riders after knee surgery in February, while Josh Hazlewood will sit out at least the first two matches for RCB as he recovers from hamstring and Achilles problems. Pat Cummins is also not fully fit for SRH's opening games. The depth of overseas squads across the league will be tested from match one.
CSK begin their campaign on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, making the Ellis-Curran injury double particularly pointed. Both teams will line up in that match knowing they have already lost a player they planned to build around.
