CSK Eyes Replacements for Ayush Mhatre as IPL 2026 Injury Woes Grow

Chennai Super Kings have been dealt a setback as Ayush Mhatre’s left hamstring injury has ruled him out of the remainder of IPL 2026. The news comes as CSK already cope with a string of fitness concerns, with MS Dhoni nursing a calf strain, Khaleel Ahmed sidelined with a grade 2 quadriceps tear, and Nathan Ellis unavailable. With the tournament halfway through, CSK are under pressure to act quickly and maintain their momentum.

Five players are reportedly in contention to replace Mhatre: Deepak Hooda, Swastik Chikara, Atharva Taide, Manan Vohra, and Yash Dhull. Hooda, who went unsold at the IPL 2026 mini-auction but had previously been associated with CSK in 2025, could offer valuable IPL experience and middle-order versatility despite a difficult season so far. Swastik Chikara, a right-handed opening batter from Uttar Pradesh and a free agent, has emerged as a strong candidate with an aggressive Powerplay approach. He recently impressed by scoring an unbeaten 195 off 69 balls for Gomti Thunder in the Ayodhya Premier League and was part of RCB’s IPL 2025 title-winning squad, though he did not feature in matches. Atharva Taide, another unsold player in 2026, captained Vidarbha to their Vijay Hazare Trophy title and hit a 128 in the final, underscoring a big-match temperament that CSK could value. Manan Vohra and Yash Dhull are also in the mix, offering a mix of top-order experience and potential long-term fixtures for the squad.

CSK will weigh form, fitness, and balance before finalizing a decision, aiming to preserve their momentum in a demanding schedule and ensure the lineup remains competitive as the season progresses. The replacement could be announced soon as the franchise looks to shore up its batting depth and continue its IPL 2026 campaign without disruption.

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