Ayush Mhatre explains 'retired out' decision by CSK [Source: AP]The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise crushed Delhi Capitals to secure its first win of the IPL 2026 season. Blistering opener Sanju Samson unleashed a ‘Player of the Match’ performance by cracking 115* runs off just 56 balls. Teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre also compiled 59 runs off 36 balls in the match before he was retired out by the team management. While the decision sparked much debate among fans of the franchise, the youngster himself has now issued an official statement regarding his untimely and sudden exit from the crease. Ayush Mhatre explains CSK needed Shivam Dube for slog overs Even though Ayush Mhatre was striking at nearly 164 by the time he reached 59*, the youngster was ‘retired out’ by the team management to make way for hard-hitting all-rounder Shivam Dube for the slog overs. Dube justified his late arrival by whacking 20* runs off 10 balls as CSK mounted 212-2 in 20 overs. Also Read- Sanju Samson Proposes An Offer To ‘Lucky Charm’ Ravi Shastri After CSK Century In IPLAfter the match, Mhatre explained that the decision to retire him out was made purely because the team needed “some big shots” at the death. Even though the youngster himself was striking at 163.88, he remained humble in his approach by claiming that he “wasn’t really getting it going” during the time. While speaking on Star Sports, Ayush Mhatre said “There was nothing much. I was batting and the team needed some big shots. Shivam also can hit big shots. I wasn’t really getting it going, so the team planned it that way. It happens in the game.” “CSK like a family for me”, says Mhatre The 18-year-old also reflected his experience of playing within the CSK set-up ever since he made his IPL debut last year. The attacking top-order batter stated that the atmosphere within the team feels like a “family” to him, and he is often treated like a kid by the senior members. Ayush Mhatre added “It’s very different and feels like a family for me. They treat me like a kid, so I really enjoy playing with them. The support staff is also helping a lot and working hard for us.” Sanju Samson roars back into form as CSK secures first win Batting first, CSK mounted 212-2 in 20 overs. Opening batter Sanju Samson roared back into form for the franchise after starting off the IPL 2026 season with three successive failures. The attacking opener plundered 115* runs off just 56 balls with 15 cracking boundaries and four huge sixes against Delhi Capitals bowlers at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. While captain Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled to get going at 15 off 18 before getting out to Axar Patel, number three Ayush Mhatre fired a blistering half-century and hard-hitting Shivam Dube made a quick 20* at the death. In response, the Delhi Capitals folded up for 189 in 20 overs to fall 23 runs short of CSK, thus giving Ruturaj Gaikwad and co. their first win of the IPL 2026 season. Fast bowler Jaimie Overton became the point of different in the high-scoring game with exceptional figures of 4-18. Also Read- BCCI Breaks Silence On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi-Romi Bhinder Mobile Use, Deliberates Punishment
