Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have suffered a major setback as explosive batter and U-19 World Cup-winning skipper Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the ongoing edition due to a hamstring injury.
In a statement, CSK said, “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 him a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
Mhatre has been CSK’s top run-scorer this season, amassing 201 runs in six innings at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 177.87, including two fifties, with a best of 73.
Since joining the franchise as an injury replacement for skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad last season, Mhatre’s rise has been one of the few bright spots for an inconsistent CSK unit. He has scored 441 runs in 13 innings at an average of 33.92 and a strike rate of 183.45, including three fifties.
So far, CSK have won only two of their six matches in IPL 2026. They lost their previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 10 runs and are currently placed eighth on the points table.
Mhatre’s absence leaves a significant gap in the top order, with the Indian opening pair of Sanju Samson and skipper Gaikwad yet to find consistency. Meanwhile, veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is also yet to return from a calf strain.
Earlier, the franchise also lost left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed to injury. The five-time champions have been plagued by injury concerns throughout the season, with South African batter Dewald Brevis missing the start of the tournament due to injury, though he has since returned.
CSK will next face arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
(ANI)
