Chennai Super Kings have moved to add depth to their pace-bowling group by bringing in right-arm fast bowler Akash Madhwal as a replacement for top-order batter Ayush Mhatre. Mhatre had made a bright start to the season, but a hamstring issue has ruled him out for the rest of IPL 2026. Madhwal arrives at CSK on a deal worth INR 30 lakh.
Quick facts
- CSK have named Akash Madhwal as a replacement for Ayush Mhatre for IPL 2026.
- Mhatre is out for the remainder of IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury.
- Madhwal joins CSK for INR 30 lakh.
- Madhwal began his IPL journey as a net bowler with RCB in 2019.
- He was picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2022 as cover for an injured Suryakumar Yadav.
- In 2023, he claimed 14 wickets in eight matches, including 5 for 5 vs Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator at Chennai.
- In 2024, he played five matches and took five wickets.
- At the 2025 mega auction, Rajasthan Royals won him from Punjab Kings for INR 1.20 crore.
- He appeared in four matches for RR before being released.
- After no takers in the next auction, he has now signed with CSK.
- CSK have also been hit by injuries, losing Nathan Ellis before the tournament and Khaleel Ahmed mid-season.
Madhwal’s path to IPL cricket began away from the spotlight. He started out working as a net bowler with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019, before stepping into the bigger picture later. The next major break came in 2022 when Mumbai Indians drafted him in as a replacement for the injured Suryakumar Yadav with only two matches left in the campaign.
Despite being brought into the squad at that late stage, Madhwal did not feature in those remaining games. However, his work in the nets stood out, and he was rewarded the following season. In IPL 2023, he produced a strong return of 14 wickets across eight appearances, including a sensational spell of 5 for 5 against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator played in Chennai.
The workload dipped in 2024. Madhwal played just five matches and managed five wickets during the season, but his value still caught the eye. That set the tone for a tense moment at the mega auction that followed, where a bidding tussle unfolded before Rajasthan Royals eventually prevailed over Punjab Kings for his services in 2025 at INR 1.20 crore.
For Rajasthan, the stint was brief. Madhwal turned out in four matches before being released after the season. When the next auction window came around, he went unsold, but his perseverance has paid off as he now finds another opportunity with CSK.
CSK’s decision also reflects their current injury troubles in IPL 2026. The franchise lost Nathan Ellis to injury before the tournament began, and Khaleel Ahmed was ruled out midway through the event. With Mhatre sidelined and bowling resources stretched, Madhwal’s arrival gives CSK an added layer of pace options as they navigate the season.
