IPL 2026: 'Playing for CSK feels very special,' says Spencer Johnson
Chennai, May 18
Spencer Johnson has described his stint with Chennai Super Kings as one of the most special experiences of his franchise cricket career, saying the atmosphere around the team, the passionate support from fans, and the togetherness within the dressing room make CSK stand out from other teams around the world.
The Australian left-arm pacer, who joined the CSK setup as a replacement for Nathan Ellis for IPL 2026, admitted that franchise cricket can often feel temporary because players move across leagues and teams regularly. However, Johnson said the environment created at CSK under head coach Stephen Fleming has made him feel genuinely connected to the group.
"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 told broadcasters ahead of the SRH clash.
The Australian pacer recently returned to action after recovering physically from his previous outing and said he was pleased with the way his body responded to the demands of competitive cricket. "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.
Johnson further revealed that although he was initially unsure about getting opportunities in the playing XI, he always stayed mentally prepared for his chance. "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 explained.
"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 added.
Meanwhile, Johnson has played only one match in IPL 2026, where he took one wicket and gave away 39 runs in four overs.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Spencer is a decent bowler but 1 wicket for 39 runs is not impressive. Hope he does better next match. CSK fans are patient but we need results.
That's the thing about CSK - they make even temporary players feel like family. From Albie Morkel to Faf to now Spencer, everyone says the same thing. It's not just PR, it's real culture.
Honestly, IPL has become too transactional - players hop from one team to another like mercenaries. But CSK still has that old-school vibe. Wish other teams learned from them. 🧡
Great to see an Australian pacer appreciating Indian franchise culture. The Chepauk crowd is something else - they treat every player like their own son. Yaar, that's Chennai magic!
Spencer Johnson is a talented bowler but 39 runs in 4 overs? Bhai, that's expensive even for T20. He needs to work on his yorkers. But I appreciate his honesty about not expecting to play.
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