Chennai Super Kings have brought in fast bowler Akash Madhwal as the cover for Ayush Mhatre for the remainder of the IPL 2026 season.
Mhatre, who has been CSK’s leading run-getter so far in the campaign, was sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury while batting in CSK’s previous fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18. The franchise expects Mhatre to need between six and 12 weeks of rehabilitation.
Akash Madhwal has been added to the squad on a base fee of INR 30 lakh. A right-arm quick from Uttarakhand, Madhwal made a notable impact in his maiden IPL campaign in 2023, claiming 14 wickets from eight matches for Mumbai Indians at an economy rate of 8.58. He was retained by MI, but struggled to match that output in IPL 2024, finishing with five wickets in five games.
Released by Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2025, Madhwal was then purchased by Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.20 crore, yet the season did not deliver the expected returns, as he managed only four wickets across four appearances.
With this, Madhwal was not selected in the IPL 2026 auction, though he has remained linked with the MI set-up in a net-bowling role. He also took part in Kolkata Knight Riders’ trials after Harshit Rana and Akash Deep were ruled out. In total across his IPL career, Madhwal has played 17 matches and taken 23 wickets, maintaining an economy of 10.05. His record includes a standout 5 for 5 for Mumbai Indians against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 eliminator.
Madhwal’s arrival comes at a time when CSK’s squad depth has been tested by injuries. MS Dhoni is yet to feature this season due to a calf strain. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis has been ruled out for the entire IPL 2026 campaign with a hamstring problem, and although Spencer Johnson—his replacement—has been working through recovery, he is now considered fit. More recently, fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed was also ruled out because of a right quadricep injury.
CSK have had a difficult start to IPL 2026, sitting eighth in the points table after six matches with two wins and four defeats. Their next assignment is against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
