Chennai Super Kings have suffered a huge loss following the announcement that 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre will be missing the entire IPL 2026 after suffering from a torn hamstring. This season was terrific for Mhatre, who has made a significant contribution to CSK’s success, scoring 201 runs in 6 innings at a fantastic strike rate of 177.88.
In particular, his explosive 73 off 43 against Punjab Kings was one of the most damaging individual innings in CSK’s campaign so far.
Ayush Mhatre: How the Injury Happened
Mhatre suffered the injury when he was running between wickets trying to make the second on the same ball as the run-out occurred in an ODI match between SRH and csk on 18 April 2023 in Hyderabad. After pulling his left hamstring on the second run, he continued to bat for an additional 30 runs off just 13 balls before being out.
When he left the field of play, coaches assisted him off the field, and he was unable to walk on his own. Mike Hussey confirmed that he had suffered a hamstring tear, which would keep him out of cricket for between 4 and 8 weeks, therefore ending his IPL 2026 career.
3 Players Who Can Replace Ayush Mhatre In CSK
As CSK face an important game vs Mumbai Indians on April 23 at Wankhede, they will want to take immediate action to replace their currently injured player, here are three players who could fill that spot:
1. Urvil Patel – The Most Natural Replacement
Urvil Patel seems to be the closest match. Urvil, famous for being an aggressive batsman from the top order, is the holder of the record for the fastest hundred scored in T20 cricket by any Indian player (28 balls).
His fearless batting style is a lot like that of Mhatre. Urvil would be able to carry on CSK’s momentum during their powerplay with ease, given his good domestic form and score of 37 runs from 19 balls in IPL 2025.
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2. Kartik Sharma – High-Risk, High-Reward Option
At ₹14.2 crore, Kartik Sharma was one of the most highly priced uncapped players in the CSK Auction for IPL 2023, but he has yet to show why he was signed for such an amount this year.
Mhatre’s absence may provide Sharma with an opportunity. Sharma has demonstrated his ability to hit sixes and was the top run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021.
He also can bat at either the top or No. 3 spot in the batting order. Though there is some risk associated with taking him on board because of his poor run of form, CSK will likely endorse Sharma’s attacking style of play.
3. MS Dhoni – The Game-Changing Return
If MS Dhoni comes back, the CSK lineup could look drastically different only dependent on how recovered he is from his calf injury. He has been seen training lately, so that is encouraging.
If he is fit, he would come in as a finisher at no. 7 and allow for guys like Matt Short to start to fit into either top or middle order roles.
His return would also give the lower order a lot of strength and have the most experienced and psychologically beneficial player on the field (especially at a stadium like Wankhede) to help support the team through tough situations.
Injury Management Criticism Adds Pressure
On CSK’s treatment of Mhatre, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that they should have taken more precautions with him. He believes they made a poor choice allowing him to keep batting when he appeared to be in significant pain.
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