R Ashwin feels that Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis current form would be encouraging for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters. He made the remarks following Ellis’ influential spell for the Hobart Hurricanes in their 2025–26 Big Bash League clash against the Melbourne Renegades on Monday, December 29.
Leading the Hurricanes, Ellis delivered an impressive performance with figures of 4-0-30-3. Ashwin appeared particularly impressed by the 31-year-old’s effectiveness at the death, hinting that Ellis could emerge as CSK’s go-to death-overs specialist in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Sharing his thoughts on X, the veteran off-spinner wrote:
“The men in yellove will be happy with how he’s been shaping up. 4-0-30-3 for Hobart Hurricanes today. Most importantly, 2-0-15-2 at the death, bowling 17 and 20, nailing his yorkers and change of pace. Safe to say two overs of Ellis are locked at the ‘Pauk’ in the death for the summer of 26?”
The men in yellove will be happy with how he’s been shaping up.
4-0-30-3 for Hobart Hurricanes today.
Most importantly, 2-0-15-2 at the death, bowling 17 and 20, nailing his yorkers and change of pace.
Safe to say two overs of Ellis are locked at the ‘Pauk’ in the death for… pic.twitter.com/zjkg0ipXJQ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 29, 2025
Ellis has picked up seven wickets in five matches at an economy rate of nine in the 2025–26 Big Bash League. It is worth noting that he was also included in Chennai Super Kings’ squad for IPL 2025, where he played just one match and managed to take a single wicket.
R Ashwin Names His Ideal CSK XI Ahead of IPL 2026
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his preferred CSK playing XI for the upcoming season. He named youngster Ayush Mhatre as the opener alongside wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad set to bat at No. 3. All-rounder Shivam Dube was slotted in at No. 4, while explosive South African batter Dewald Brevis was picked at No. 5.
Ashwin placed uncapped spin-bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer, signed by CSK for a hefty ₹14.2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, at No. 6. He backed MS Dhoni to reprise the finisher’s role, positioning him at No. 7. Ashwin also suggested a possible choice between West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein and New Zealand seamer Matt Henry, depending on conditions.
The rest of the bowling attack in his XI comprised Afghanistan’s mystery spinner Noor Ahmad, Australian pacer Nathan Ellis, and India’s left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed.
R Ashwin’s CSK XI for IPL 2026: Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni, Akeal Hosein/Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad
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