Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Tuesday were dealt a body blow as right-handed batter Ayush Mhatre was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season due to a hamstring injury. The U-19 World Cup-winning captain suffered the setback in CSK’s previous match against SunRisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. However, the five-time champions are yet to name a replacement for the injured batter.
CSK have confirmed that Ayush’s injury will require six to twelve weeks of rehabilitation, hence it wouldn’t be possible for the batter to take any further part in the 19th edition of the T20 tournament.
The franchise made the announcement on social media. Taking to X (formerly Twitter, CSK wrote: “Official Announcement. Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 due to a left hamstring injury sustained while batting during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18. Ayush’s injury will require a rehabilitation period of 6-12 weeks. We wish Ayush a speedy recovery.”
Speaking of Mhatre’s injury and how it happened, the 18-year-old pulled his hamstring after the second ball of the fifth over during CSK’s batting innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain, called for two runs, and it was then that Mhatre pulled up when he was about to reach the non-striker’s end. The physio came out to attend to the batter, but shockingly, Gaikwad and Mhatre decided to continue in the middle. Two deliveries later, Mhatre lost his wicket and had to be taken off the field by Ramakrishna Ghosh and the physio. His pads were taken by Ghosh and Tommy Simsek, the physio.
After the match against Sunrisers, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey had all but confirmed Mhatre’s fate. “It’s a hamstring tear. Don’t know how bad it is. We’ll scan him probably tomorrow or the next day. I’m not sure, but yes, it looks pretty bad. Unfortunately, he’s going to be a big loss because he has been in nice touch,” Hussey told reporters.
Mhatre’s form
Mhatre being ruled out would be a big loss for CSK, considering the youngster was one of the best-performing batters in IPL 2026. In the six matches he played, Mhatre returned with 201 runs, scoring two half-centuries, at a very impressive strike rate of 177.87. His best score was 73.
Last week, CSK lost Khaleel Ahmed after he was ruled out of the tournament. The franchise has also lost Nathan Ellis to injury before the tournament began, and Dewald Brevis didn’t feature in the first few games either.
Talisman MS Dhoni hasn’t been available to play yet, but is likely to play the next game against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 23.
