Injury chaos already reshapes every team's plan as IPL 2026 kicks off on 28 March. Fitness concerns for stars like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Harshit Rana, and Sam Curran leave franchises scrambling for cover. These absences do not weaken the tournament. Instead, they give fringe players a golden stage. This means IPL 2026 will likely see breakout stars that no one saw coming during the December auction.
IPL 2026: 5 replacements who could steal the show
Spencer Johnson steps in for CSK
Chennai Super Kings signed Australian quick Spencer Johnson to replace the injured Nathan Ellis. Johnson joins the squad for ₹1.5 crore. He hits high speeds and swings the ball naturally with that left-arm angle. The Indian fans are already aware of his skills from his time with the Gujarat Titans and KKR. Once he reaches full fitness, he can tear through top orders with the yorker-heavy threat CSK need.
David Payne adds teeth to SRH's attack
Sunrisers Hyderabad signed England seamer David Payne to replace Jack Edwards. Payne brings experience from 233 T20 matches and 304 wickets. Those stats prove he is a consistent performer. SRH’s aggressive batting usually sets huge totals, and that will provide him plenty of runs to defend.
Saurabh Dubey fills KKR's pace gap
Kolkata Knight Riders signed Vidarbha pacer Saurabh Dubey for ₹30 lakh. He replaces Akash Deep, who has a lumbar stress injury. Dubey’s domestic record deserves attention. The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata often helps left-arm seamers who hit the deck hard.
Dasun Shanaka brings all-round firepower to RR
Rajasthan Royals confirmed Dasun Shanaka as the replacement for Sam Curran. The Sri Lankan captain offers big-hitting power and useful medium pace. This mix suits the aggressive way Rajasthan Royals like to play.
Eshan Malinga is SRH's surprise weapon
SRH kept Eshan Malinga after he took 13 wickets in seven games last season. Sri Lanka Cricket gave him the green light to play in IPL 2026. With senior bowlers on the sidelines, Malinga goes straight into an impact role.
