Chennai Super Kings have suffered a run of significant injury setbacks heading into IPL 2026, with multiple key names ruled out and others brought in at short notice. The latest blow came with the sidelining of in-form batter Ayush Mhatre, while earlier concerns had already removed MS Dhoni, Nathan Ellis and left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed from contention. As CSK reshuffle their squad, the reigning five-time champions now prepare to face Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, in a contest that carries huge history but is starting to feel different amid the season’s shifting circumstances.
CSK’s injury list grows
The first major problem for CSK was MS Dhoni, who was ruled out for a two-week period after suffering a calf strain. That was followed by a blow before the tournament even began, with Nathan Ellis also ruled out, leading to Spencer Johnson being drafted in as his replacement. Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed then joined the list of unavailable players, further thinning CSK’s bowling options.
Ayush Mhatre ruled out; Akash Madhwal named replacement
While all the absences have been impactful, CSK’s biggest concern has been the injury to Ayush Mhatre, an in-form top-order bat. The No. 3 batter had been in exceptional touch, striking 201 runs across six matches at a strike rate of 177.88.
- MS Dhoni: ruled out for two weeks due to a calf strain.
- Nathan Ellis: ruled out even before the tournament started; Spencer Johnson brought in as replacement.
- Khaleel Ahmed: ruled out as well.
- Ayush Mhatre: sidelined, despite 201 runs in six games at 177.88 strike rate.
CSK have now confirmed the replacement for Mhatre. Former Mumbai Indians player Akash Madhwal has been brought into the squad. The IPL clarified that Madhwal, a right-arm fast bowler, previously represented Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2024, and Rajasthan Royals in 2025.
Madhwal’s IPL record and CSK’s match outlook
Madhwal has appeared in 17 IPL matches so far, taking 23 wickets. He also has a five-wicket performance to his name, having produced figures of 5/5 during his debut season for Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants.
Mhatre, who captained India to a U19 World Cup triumph, had made a bright start for CSK by scoring two fifties in six matches. His season impact was interrupted when he suffered a left hamstring injury while batting in Match 27 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In terms of the deal, Madhwal has joined CSK for a fee of Rs 30 lakh.
MI vs CSK at Wankhede: momentum and squad details
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings—both franchises that have won the IPL five times and are packed with marquee talent—will meet in a high-energy encounter at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Still, recent signs suggest this rivalry may not carry the same “big-match” feel and glamour that fans have come to associate with it.
For Mumbai Indians, the home fixture arrives on the back of confidence after a standout bowling display and a pressure-handling century from Tilak Varma against Gujarat Titans (GT), which secured MI their second win of the season. CSK, in contrast, will look to bounce back after a 10-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which marked their fourth loss of the campaign.
Squads
Squad: Mumbai Indians
- Quinton de Kock (w)
- Danish Malewar
- Naman Dhir
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Mitchell Santner
- Krish Bhagat
- Jasprit Bumrah
- AM Ghazanfar
- Ashwani Kumar
- Raj Bawa
- Corbin Bosch
- Mayank Rawat
- Raghu Sharma
- Rohit Sharma
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Shardul Thakur
- Will Jacks
- Mayank Markande
- Ryan Rickelton
- Robin Minz
- Mohammed Salahuddin Izhar
Squad: Chennai Super Kings
- Sanju Samson (w)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Matthew Short
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Dewald Brevis
- Shivam Dube
- Jamie Overton
- Anshul Kamboj
- Noor Ahmad
- Mukesh Choudhary
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Kartik Sharma
- Prashant Veer
- Ramkhrishna Ghosh
- Matt Henry
- MS Dhoni
- Akeal Hosein
- Shreyas Gopal
- Rahul Chahar
- Spencer Johnson
- Urvil Patel
- Aman Khan
- Zakary Foulkes
- Akash Madhwal
