Big boost for CSK! Star player declares himself 100% fit for IPL 2026
Published - 29 Mar 2026, 04:09 PM | Updated - 29 Mar 2026, 04:10 PM
Australian all-rounder Matt Short opened up about his thumb injury ahead of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opening match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) during the IPL 2026 season. Short said that it was frustrating to suffer the injury just before the tournament and added that he is currently recovering.
The five-time champions acquired the Australian player for INR 1.50 crore during the recent auction to strengthen their squad. CSK will aim for a turnaround after a disappointing season in 2025, where they finished at the bottom of the 10-team points table with just four wins in 14 matches in the group stage.
My Thumb Is Pretty Good - CSK All-Rounder Matt Short Opens Up on Injury
With their tournament opener scheduled against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 30 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Matt Short shared crucial updates regarding his physical readiness. Short expressed clear frustration regarding the timing of his recent thumb fracture.
“My thumb is pretty good. It’s a bit frustrating to break it just before coming over, but it’s getting there slowly. My form in the nets has been good. Hopefully, by the first game, I’ll be ready to go,” Short said.
Short is not a first-choice overseas player for the Super Kings. Players like Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Dewald Brevis, and Matt Henry are likely to start as overseas players in the playing XI. However, Short could make it into the playing XI, as he is their only off-spin option in the squad.
It’s a Very Calm and Professional Environment - Matt Short
When asked about the CSK environment, Matt Short highlighted the relaxed yet focused atmosphere created by the experienced coaching staff and senior players in the dressing room.
“It’s a very calm and professional environment. The players know what they need to do. A lot of the staff have been here for a long time, which keeps things relaxed. Everyone is used to this setup at CSK. It suits me well. We stay calm on the outside, even though a lot of hard work goes in,” Short stated.
The Chennai Super Kings have already started their preparation camp for the 2026 season. Sanju Samson, who was traded from Rajasthan Royals, joined the squad to begin their training ahead of the tournament opener.
Chennai Super Kings Look to Bounce Back After Poor IPL 2025 Season
The CSK endured a disappointing campaign last year, securing only four victories in 14 matches. They finished at the bottom of the standings with just four wins and ended below Rajasthan Royals due to an inferior net run rate.
To recover from back-to-back poor seasons, the management made several bold moves. The biggest change was a major off-season trade that brought Sanju Samson to Chennai, while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moved to Rajasthan Royals.
Sanju Samson arrives in strong form after an impressive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. He played key innings, including in knockout matches, and contributed to India’s title win before joining Chennai Super Kings.
Also read: Mumbai Indians on the verge of history ahead of IPL 2026 clash against KKR
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
