Ayush Mhatre Joins CSK as Replacement for Injured Ruturaj Gaikwad
With MS Dhoni still guiding the squad, fans will be hoping the addition of fresh talent like Mhatre can spark a turnaround in what has been a tough campaign so far for the five-time champions.
Chennai, April 14 – In a major development ahead of their upcoming IPL fixtures, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have roped in Ayush Mhatre, a promising 17-year-old Mumbai opener, as a replacement for skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been ruled out for the season due to an elbow fracture.
The decision, confirmed by sources close to the franchise, was taken late on Saturday (April 13) after trials involving several young talents. Mhatre was chosen over contenders including Urvil Patel, Salman Nizar, and Prithvi Shaw, who was also reportedly in consideration.
Although unsold in the auction at a base price of ₹30 lakh, Mhatre has impressed Mumbai cricket circles with his form. In nine first-class matches, he has scored 504 runs with two centuries, and in seven List A games, he has piled up 458 runs, also with two centuries. Many view him as a potential future India player.
“He will join the squad in Mumbai in a couple of days,” a CSK insider told Cricbuzz. The team is currently in Lucknow, preparing for their seventh IPL 2025 fixture, scheduled for Monday night against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium.
CSK, struggling this season with just one win from six matches, sit at the bottom of the points table. They next face Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on April 20, where Mhatre could potentially make his debut.
With MS Dhoni still guiding the squad, fans will be hoping the addition of fresh talent like Mhatre can spark a turnaround in what has been a tough campaign so far for the five-time champions.
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