Ayush Mhatre IPL 2026 (AFP)
In a significant development, Chennai Super Kings’ in-form batter Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026. Notably, Mhatre had sustained a brutal injury while batting during SRH vs CSK on April 18.
The franchise shared Ayush Mhatre's latest update on their social media platforms, emphasising that the batter requires 6-12 weeks of rehabilitation for his hamstring injury.
Mhatre was a vital cog in CSK’s batting department. A permanent name for the number three batting position, the 18-year-old amassed 201 runs in 6 matches with a high score of 59 and a strike rate of 177.87.
Ayush Mhatre Injury Timeline
On April 18, against SRH in Hyderabad, CSK batter Ayush Mhatre strained his left hamstring while attempting a quick single, and despite being in visible pain, was allowed to continue batting by the CSK management and physios.
He eventually scored 30 off 13 balls before being dismissed the very next delivery and had to be assisted off the field by two people, after being unable to walk. Later, CSK batting coach Mike Hussey confirmed the severity of his injury and said that Mhatre will undergo scans.
CSK, who have already been marred with injuries to Dewald Brevis (has now recovered), MS Dhoni (still recovering from calf strain), and Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis, have officially been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries.
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Thus, Ayush’s ouster leaves a definite spot open in the Chennai Super Kings team. That being said, in this article, let’s explore 3 potential replacements for Ayush Mhatre in the CSK squad for the remainder of the IPL 2026.
Three Potential Players Who Could Replace Ayush Mhatre in CSK
1. Yash Dhull
Former India U-19 captain Yash Dhull underwent surgery in 2024 to heal a 17mm congenital hole in his heart.
Dhull made a strong comeback from the surgery, amassing 435 runs in just eight games at a strike rate of 167.31, then followed it up with 434 runs in five games in the Ranji Trophy, followed with 434 runs in five games in the Ranji Trophy.
Nonetheless, with an INR 30 lakh base price, he failed to secure a bid in the IPL 2026 auction. Thus, CSK can look to acquire the services of Yash Dhull, who has been consistently performing in domestic cricket.
Delhi’s Yash Dhull could be a good option to replace injured Ayush Mhatre. During the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025, Dhull amassed 435 runs in just eight games at a strike rate of 167.31, then followed it up with 434 runs in five games in the Ranji Trophy.
2. Mayank Agarwal
He was the man behind Karnataka’s win in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. Agarwal performed amassing 651 runs, including four hundreds, from 10 innings at an average of 93.00 and a strike rate of 107.60. However, he went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction.
Mayank Agarwal was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as an injury replacement for Devdutt Padikkal for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season.
Despite initially going unsold in the mega auction at a base price of INR 1 crore, he was brought in for the same amount for the final stages of the tournament.
Coming in late in the tournament, Agarwal performed decently, scoring 95 in 4 games, highlighted by an unbeaten 41 against Lucknow Super Giants.
3. Manan Vohra
A forgotten domestic star, 32-year-old Manan Vohra, has shown excellent form in the 2025-26 domestic season for Chandigarh, highlighted by consistent scoring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (278 runs, 46.33 avg) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (298 runs, 42.57 avg), including multiple centuries and fifties.
Despite demonstrating high-impact performances, the top-order batter was ignored in the IPL 2026 auction. Thus, the Chennai-based IPL franchise could look at him as a one-season replacement for Ayush Mhatre.
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