New Zealand’s senior fast bowler Matt Henry has joined the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp for the IPL 2026 season. CSK picked him for ₹2 crore in the IPL 2026 mini auction. The franchise wanted an experienced overseas pacer who can deliver both with the new ball and in middle overs, and Henry fits that role perfectly.
Even though he has played very few IPL games earlier, his outstanding international performances in Tests, ODIs, and T20s have made him a valuable addition to CSK’s pace attack.
Matt Henry IPL 2026 Price & Team
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IPL 2026 Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| IPL 2026 Price | ₹2.00 Crore |
| Role | Fast Bowler |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Batting Style | Right-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Fast |
| IPL Debut | – (Played IPL matches earlier but limited appearances) |
Matt Henry Player Overview
Matt Henry, born on 14 December 1991 in Christchurch, is one of New Zealand’s most reliable fast bowlers. Known for his pace, bounce, and seam movement, he has been a crucial part of New Zealand’s bowling lineup across all formats.
He holds top rankings in world cricket and has produced match-winning spells in Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
Like to know? IPL 2026 Released Players List
Matt Henry IPL Career Summary (Overall)
Although Matt Henry has not been a regular IPL player, the available IPL stats show limited appearances:
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches | 4 |
| Runs | 0 |
| Highest Score | 0 |
| Wickets | 1 |
| Best Bowling | 1/31 |
| Economy | 14.20 |
| Strike Rate | 30.00 |
CSK has picked him mainly for his international success, not IPL history.
Matt Henry IPL Bowling Stats (Season-wise)
| Season | Matches | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 30 | 71 | 1 | 1/31 | 14.20 | 71.00 |
| 2024 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Career | 4 | 30 | 71 | 1 | 1/31 | 14.20 | 71.00 |
(Note: Only two matches had proper bowling data recorded.)
Matt Henry Batting & Fielding (IPL)
| Season | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | Strike Rate | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
| Career | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
Matt Henry IPL Auction Price History
| Year | Price | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ₹2.00 Cr | CSK |
Matt Henry International Career Highlights
Even though he hasn’t played much IPL cricket, Matt Henry is a world-class bowler in international cricket:
Test Career
- Matches: 33
- Wickets: 140
- Best: 7/23
- Average: 27.14
- Economy: 3.12
ODI Career
- Matches: 95
- Wickets: 172
- Best: 5/30
- Average: 24.99
- Economy: 5.21
T20 Career
- Matches: 31
- Wickets: 40
- Best: 3/26
- Average: 22.38
- Economy: 8.34
ICC Rankings
| Format | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Test Bowling | 2nd | 846 |
| ODI Bowling | 10th | 619 |
| T20I Bowling | 33rd | 563 |
These rankings show his consistency and capability across all formats.
Why CSK Signed Matt Henry for IPL 2026
CSK’s strategy revolves around experience and control. Matt Henry fits perfectly into this plan:
Key reasons behind the signing:
- Reliable new-ball bowler
- Can extract bounce on slow or dry Chennai wicket
- Brings international experience
- Back-up option for injury-prone overseas pacers
- Can bowl in powerplay and middle overs
With CSK transitioning towards a new phase, an experienced pacer like Henry adds great value.
Expected Role for CSK in IPL 2026
Matt Henry is likely to be used in these roles:
New Ball Bowler
Swing and seam movement early in the innings.
Middle Overs Control
Hit-the-deck bowling to break partnerships.
Overseas Pace Rotation
CSK likes to rotate fast bowlers depending on pitch conditions.
Read more: IPL 2026 Retained Players List:
Matt Henry Strengths
- Natural seam movement
- Consistent line & length
- Ability to take wickets in long spells
- High stamina and control
- Performs well under pressure
Even though his IPL numbers are limited, his international performance makes him a high-potential signing.
Conclusion
Matt Henry’s inclusion in IPL 2026 with CSK for ₹2 crore adds depth and experience to their bowling unit. While his IPL record is limited, his international dominance across formats makes him a smart investment for Chennai Super Kings.
With his pace, skill, and world-class experience, Matt Henry could be one of the big surprise performers for CSK in the 2026 season.
