5-time champions Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) made heads flip with their twin buys of two uncapped Indian gamers for a document worth of ₹14.20 crore on the IPL 2026 public sale. Nonetheless, earlier than and after the 2 earth-shattering strikes, the aspect made a number of acquisitions that went largely unnoticed.
One such was the purchase of veteran New Zealand pacer Matt Henry for ₹2 crore, including to their pace-bowling arsenal. The Males in Yellow endured a disappointing 2025 IPL marketing campaign, ending on the backside of the standings.
Likewise, Henry has additionally struggled in his minimal appearances within the IPL, averaging over 90 at an economic system of over 10 in six matches. But, the 2026 season with CSK could possibly be his breakout 12 months within the IPL for extra causes than one.
On that notice, allow us to look at three key explanation why CSK ought to begin with Matt Henry of their taking part in XI for IPL 2026.
#1 Matt Henry has quietly blossomed right into a T20 weapon
For many of his profession, Matt Henry has been considered a new-ball bowler, primarily fitted to the longer codecs. This narrative has remained with the Kiwi pacer, even when current actuality suggests in any other case.
Henry has loved unimaginable success in T20Is over the previous two years, evolving as a bowler at completely different levels of an innings. The 34-year-old has picked up 25 T20I wickets for the reason that starting of final 12 months at a mean of 21 and an economic system of underneath 9 in 18 outings.
Moreover, Henry has additionally carried out effectively in T20 leagues elsewhere this 12 months. Regardless of taking part in solely video games in Hundred 2025, he picked up 4 wickets at a mean of 11 and an economic system of 6.60.
He additionally impressed within the 2025 Vitality Blast, ending with 16 wickets at a mean of 17.56 and an economic system of seven.39 in 10 matches. Given his resurgence within the shortest format around the globe, Henry should discover a place in CSK’s 11 as a possible difference-maker subsequent season.
#2 Henry will handle one in all CSK’s greatest areas of concern final season
CSK’s embarrassing 2025 season stemmed primarily from their lack of ability to establish the right bowling mixture throughout circumstances. The aspect usually performed three spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad, leaving them woefully brief within the pace-bowling division.
It resulted in Ashwin predominantly bowling with the brand new ball and going for many, inflicting complications for the captain. CSK additionally struggled in the long run overs, with solely the detached Matheesha Pathirana being a dependable choice to regulate large hits from the opposition batters.
Nonetheless, with Matt Henry, CSK will boast arguably one of the vital dependable new-ball bowlers in world cricket. The New Zealand pacer not solely can management runs within the powerplay however also can dismiss top-order batters at will on his day.
Henry has additionally developed into an occasional death-bowling choice with the power to unleash the slower deliveries and yorkers. Missing multi-phase pacers was one in all CSK’s greatest points final season, and the addition of Henry to the taking part in XI ought to go a good distance in eradicating comparable woes.
#3 CSK’s public sale strikes make Henry a default choice within the 11
CSK launched three pacers with IPL expertise, Matheesha Pathirana, Sam Curran, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, forward of the 2026 public sale. It left an already questionable pace-bowling cabinet additional barren, heading into the public sale.
But, CSK surprisingly picked just one specialist pacer, Matt Henry, together with two medium-pace bowling all-rounders, Zak Foulkes and Aman Khan. Given their points from final season, CSK should play not less than one different bona fide pacer aside from Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj.
Whereas Jamie Overton is an alternative choice, much like Foulkes and Aman, the trio are extra assist bowlers than dependable four-over banks. Thus, if nothing else, simply by default, CSK should play Matt Henry to offer a much-needed pedigree to their pace-bowling division.
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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
