Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a major blow on Tuesday after right-handed batter Ayush Mhatre was ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2026 season with a hamstring injury. The U-19 World Cup-winning skipper of that side picked up the setback during CSK’s most recent outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, and the franchise has not yet announced a replacement.
Key takeaways
- Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out for the rest of IPL 2026 after sustaining a hamstring issue.
- The injury was reported during CSK’s match versus Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18.
- CSK expects Ayush to need a rehabilitation window of six to twelve weeks.
- CSK has yet to name a substitute for the injured batter.
- CSK’s captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mhatre continued for a short period before Mhatre was forced off.
- CSK coach Michael Hussey indicated soon after the game that the injury looked serious.
What CSK said about Ayush Mhatre’s injury
CSK shared the update on social media, confirming that Ayush Mhatre will not be available for the remainder of the tournament due to a left hamstring injury picked up while batting against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18. The franchise stated that the batter’s recovery is expected to take between six and twelve weeks, making it impossible for him to return for the 19th edition of the T20 league.
CSK also wished Ayush a quick return to full fitness as the squad prepares for the upcoming fixtures without him.
How the hamstring setback happened
Speaking specifically about the moment of injury, CSK said the 18-year-old felt the hamstring pull after the second delivery of the fifth over in CSK’s innings. During that phase, Ruturaj Gaikwad called for two runs, and Mhatre appeared to tighten up when he was close to reaching the non-striker’s end.
A physio then came out to provide treatment, but despite the concern, Gaikwad and Mhatre decided to remain in the middle. Two balls later, Mhatre lost his wicket and was unable to continue, with Ramakrishna Ghosh and the physio required to take him off the field. Ghosh and Tommy Simsek later handled the batter’s pads.
Michael Hussey’s early assessment
After CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, batting coach Michael Hussey offered a blunt indication of what he believed the injury could be. He described it as a hamstring tear and said it would require scanning to determine the exact severity. Hussey added that, based on what it appeared to be, the injury looked to be a significant loss for the team because Mhatre was in good rhythm.
Why Mhatre’s absence matters for CSK
With Ayush Mhatre ruled out, CSK will miss a key contributor, particularly because the youngster had been among the standout performers in IPL 2026. Across the six matches he played, Mhatre scored 201 runs, including two half-centuries, at a strike rate of 177.87. His highest score in the tournament so far was 73.
CSK’s growing injury list and the next match
This latest setback compounds CSK’s recent injury concerns. Last week, the franchise lost Khaleel Ahmed after he was ruled out of the tournament. Earlier, Nathan Ellis was also sidelined due to injury before the competition began, while Dewald Brevis did not feature in the opening phase of matches.
Talisman MS Dhoni has not taken the field yet, but he is expected to play the next match against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 23.
