Spencer Johnson Says CSK Stint in IPL 2026 Feels Special

spencer johnson said his Chennai Super Kings stint in IPL 2026 feels very special ahead of the SRH clash. The Australian left-arm pacer said the crowd, the dressing-room bond and Stephen Fleming’s approach have set CSK apart, even though he has played only one match so far.

CSK Crowd And Fleming

“Well, you can hear the crowd now. It’s unbelievable. I think it can be a little bit transactional playing for so many different teams, but coming here, Fleming has been awesome. The whole group sticks together, so it’s very special,” Johnson said ahead of the SRH clash.

That kind of environment is the core of his first run with CSK. Johnson joined the setup as a replacement for Nathan Ellis, and he described the franchise as different from the rotating world of league cricket, where players move from one squad to another across competitions.

The feeling around the team has been part of the appeal from the start. Johnson pointed to the support from fans and the unity inside the room as the reasons this stint has stood out for him early in IPL 2026.

Johnson Back In Action

He also said his body handled the return well after his previous outing. “Yes, it recovered all well, thank you. It was nice to get that extra intensity the other night. It's a little bit different from bowling in the nets, but no, I recovered well,” Johnson said after returning to action.

Johnson said he was not expecting to play, but stayed prepared. “I probably wasn’t expecting to play, but I'm always making sure I am ready to play. And we saw how good Overton was, and I was kind of just trying to follow what he did and how he did it,” he said while discussing his chances in the XI.

He added that once he had the all clear in Australia to come over to India, he pushed his pace. “Once I got the all clear in Australia to come over here, the handbrake was off, and I’ve been trying to bowl as fast as I can,” Johnson said.

One Match For CSK

His IPL 2026 sample remains small. Johnson has played one match, taking one wicket and conceding 39 runs in four overs.

That leaves CSK with a quick who is still settling into the season while trying to build on the role he has already filled. With Johnson back in the mix and saying he feels ready, his next spell matters because the team has already shown it is willing to lean on him when the need is there.