New Zealand’s rising all-rounder Zak Foulkes has been signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹75 lakh in the IPL 2026 Auction. The young Kiwi has developed rapidly across formats and impressed with his swing bowling, disciplined line and length, and improving lower-order batting.
CSK, known for scouting smart young talent, sees Zak Foulkes as a long-term investment—especially due to his ability to bowl tough overs and provide useful runs down the order.
Zak Foulkes IPL 2026 Price & Team
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IPL 2026 Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| IPL 2026 Price | ₹75 Lakh |
| Role | All-rounder (Bowling All-rounder) |
| Batting Style | Right-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Medium Seam |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| IPL Debut | IPL 2026 (CSK) |
Zak Foulkes Player Overview
Born on 5 June 2002 in Christchurch, Zak Foulkes is a tall swing bowler who can also contribute effectively with the bat. He rose quickly through New Zealand’s domestic system after an impressive Super Smash 2022–23 season and soon became a part of New Zealand’s T20I, ODI, and Test sides.
Foulkes has already shown maturity bowling in pressure overs and handling tough match situations for Canterbury and New Zealand. His all-round potential makes him a valuable overseas signing for CSK.
Also See: Top Run-Scorers in IPL Playoffs History
Zak Foulkes Career Summary (International)
Batting Stats Across Formats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | SR | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 3 | 38 | 23* | 38.00 | 41.30 | 5 | 0 |
| ODI | 6 | 38 | 22* | – | 84.44 | 5 | 0 |
| T20I | 17 | 60 | 27* | 15.00 | 139.53 | 3 | 2 |
Bowling Stats Across Formats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 3 | 13 | 5/37 | 20.54 | 2.59 | 47.5 |
| ODI | 6 | 9 | 4/41 | 16.00 | 4.50 | 21.3 |
| T20I | 17 | 18 | 3/20 | 26.28 | 8.68 | 18.1 |
His Test debut came in 2025, and he immediately impressed with match figures of 9 wickets across two innings.
Zak Foulkes Recent T20I Innings (Latest Performance)
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Opposition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | West Indies | Auckland |
| 0* | – | – | – | West Indies | Auckland |
| 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | Zimbabwe | Harare |
| 3* | 3 | 0 | 0 | Pakistan | Mount Maunganui |
| DNB | – | – | – | Pakistan | Dunedin |
| DNB | – | – | – | Pakistan | Christchurch |
| 21* | 13 | 2 | 1 | Sri Lanka | Nelson |
| DNB | – | – | – | Sri Lanka | Mt Maunganui |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Mt Maunganui |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Dambulla |
His best recent T20I knock was 27 off 16 balls vs Sri Lanka*, showing his ability to accelerate in the lower-middle order.
Zak Foulkes Strengths & Playing Style
Bowling Strengths
- Swings the new ball consistently
- Effective hard-length bowler
- Strong in helpful conditions
- Economical in ODIs and Tests
- Trusted to bowl in pressure overs
Batting Strengths
- Handy lower-order hitter
- Can stabilize or accelerate depending on the situation
- Good strike rate in T20Is (139.53)
Fielding
- Reliable fielder with sharp reflexes
Zak Foulkes Domestic & Franchise Impact
- Breakthrough season in Super Smash 2022–23 (12 wickets in 7 games)
- Impressive spells in Vitality Blast, gaining overseas experience
- Fast-tracked by New Zealand due to consistency and controlled swing
These performances make him a promising future star and a valuable upcoming all-rounder for CSK.
Why CSK Bought Zak Foulkes in IPL 2026
- Young swing bowler with high potential
- Intelligent all-rounder who improves every season
- Can bowl tough overs + offers batting depth
- A low-cost, high-value overseas signing
- Fits CSK’s long-term development philosophy
His ability to swing the ball early and bowl economically in the middle overs makes him extremely useful in conditions like Chennai and similar Indian venues.
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Expected Role in CSK for IPL 2026
- New ball swing option
- Middle-overs seamer with variations
- Lower-order batting reinforcement
- Future development project with big upside
If groomed well, he could become a long-term overseas match-winner for CSK.
Conclusion
Zak Foulkes’ signing by Chennai Super Kings for ₹75 lakh in IPL 2026 is a smart and strategic move. His rapid rise in international cricket, strong swing bowling, and promising all-round ability make him one of the most exciting young players entering the IPL this season.
With CSK’s structured environment and focus on developing talent, Zak Foulkes could become one of the standout new faces of IPL 2026.
