Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took aim at the Chennai Super Kings setup after Ayush Mhatre appeared to be carrying an injury during the IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday. Mhatre came out to bat wearing a thick strap around his knee, and the grim signs became clearer as he started limping visibly. Even after the physios checked on him on two separate occasions, CSK went ahead with the decision to keep him in the batting mix. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also called him for a quick single, a move Ashwin felt only added to the youngster’s discomfort.
Mhatre’s stay ended when Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed him for 30, scored off 17 deliveries. Ashwin said he was left frustrated by the way CSK handled the situation, especially given how serious Mhatre appeared to be. Speaking on his YouTube show, Ashwin remarked that while he hopes Mhatre returns soon, the visible condition suggested he could be sidelined for a while.
“While coming into bat, he came with a strap on his knee. For 2-3 matches, he has been playing as Impact Sub. People are asking ‘Why he is an Impact Player? Is he not a good fielder?’ His injury has been a concern,” Ashwin said, highlighting the broader question around the role Mhatre has been assigned despite the physical issue.
Ashwin went on to argue that the right course should have been to stop play and prioritise recovery, saying he was taken aback by the management’s approach. He added that it was difficult to label the issue as a simple cramp, noting that Mhatre had not been seen in the field at all. Ashwin questioned why, after physios had checked him and he was clearly struggling, CSK still asked him to face another delivery and run between the wickets.
“It couldn’t have been a cramp because he did not field at all. Even if he had gotten cramps even when not fielding, then we have to look at his hydration. Okay, it’s not a cramp. Let’s assume it was an injury. Your physios have come in and checked him. He was limping badly, you are asking him to play another ball and making him run between wickets!” Ashwin said.
He further questioned whether Mhatre should have retired hurt once the injury became obvious, and pointed out that this season had seen Mhatre stand out as one of the key performers. “Should he have not retired out when he was limping? In this season, Ayush Mhatre has been one of the stars. I don’t understand how they can handle him carelessly. I was shocked,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin also described the reaction in the commentary box, saying viewers appeared stunned by how the moment unfolded. “Everyone in the commentary box kept their mic on the table and watched what was happening with complete shock. Very, very surprising,” he said.
Moving beyond the single incident, Ashwin suggested a recurring injury management trend within CSK. He referenced Deepak Chahar, pointing out that the pacer too struggled with injuries during his time at the franchise, and used the comparison to argue that injury prevention and planning should start well before the start of a season and continue throughout the year.
“I have been saying this for long. CSK have been hit with such injuries season after season. Deepak Chahar has played 3 years for CSK. He played a total of 16 games. But, for Mumbai Indians, he played 14 matches straight. Injury management starts well before a season begins and goes year long,” Ashwin concluded.
