Ayush Mhatre is likely to miss the remainder of the IPL 2026 after suffering a hamstring injury while batting in CSK's last game against SRH on Saturday, April 18. Chennai's batting coach, Mike Hussey, shared an update on Mhatre's injury after the team's 10-run loss in Hyderabad, confirming a hamstring tear, which he claimed was 'looking pretty bad'.
Mhatre suffered a hamstring issue while batting with Ruturaj Gaikwad in powerplay against SRH. He had kept CSK ahead in the 195-run chase, scoring quickly, 30 runs off 13 balls, before pulling off an injury while running between the wickets.
He looked in a lot of pain and was attended to by the team physio. However, the player chose to continue batting despite his struggles and threw his wicket on the very next ball. After the game, Mike Hussey revealed that the player will undergo scans on the next day.
"Obviously, a hamstring tear. I don't know how bad it is. I'm sure we'll scan him probably tomorrow or the next day," Mike Hussey said in the post-match press conference. "It looks pretty bad, unfortunately. And he's going to be a big, big loss because he's been in really nice touch for us."
Mike Hussey tips others to step up in Ayush Mhatre's absence
Ayush Mhatre's injury is indeed a very big blow to CSK's camp. The 18-year-old batting all-rounder has been a dominant force at No. 3. He is leading the scoring chart for CSK with 201 runs at a strike rate of 177.87, and his absence is likely to disrupt the batting order.
Mike Hussey confirmed that Ayush Mhatre will be sidelined for a considerable time and hinted at giving opportunities to other youngsters in the team.
"He's an exciting young talent, but it's going to give someone else an opportunity. So that's exciting as well," Hussey said. "We've got some really good players that haven't been able to get an opportunity. And so it's going to be exciting for one of those guys. So, as much as we're really disappointed to lose Ayush - I don't know how long for - it's exciting for a new player to come in and get a chance."
Chennai Super Kings have their former captain, MS Dhoni, on the verge of returning from an injury. Dhoni is likely to replace Ayush Mhatre in CSK's playing eleven and bat in the lower order, promoting Matthew Short at No. 3.
CSK also have exciting young talents Kartik Sharma, Urvil Patel and Prashant Veer available. Kartik and Prashant arrived at INR 14.2 crore each but failed to make an impact in the initial opportunities. Urvil made a breakthrough last season, scoring 68 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 212.50, and could be an ideal replacement for Ayush Mhatre in CSK's best playing eleven when they take on rivals Mumbai Indians next at Wankhede on April 23.
