Chennai Super Kings on Thursday signed as the replacement of big hitting batter Ayush Mhatre who was ruled out of the season due to an injury. “Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Akash Madhwal as a replacement for Ayush Mhatre, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to injury,” the IPL said in a release.
Madhwal who joined the 5-time champions at a fee of Rs 30 lakh, has previously plied his trade for the in 2023 and 2024 before joining the in 2025. He has played 17 matches and has taken 23 wickets. The 32-year-old also has a five-wicket haul to his name, having recorded sensational figures of 5/5 in his debut season for in the Eliminator against .
Earlier this week, Mhatre, ’s top scorer for this season was ruled out for the season due to a hamstring injury.
While making the announcement on X, CSK have said that Mhatre’s injury will require a rehabilitation period of 6-12 weeks, which effectively ends his chances of playing a further role for . The 18-year-old had picked up the injury in the game against . He seemed to pull his hamstring while taking a second run. He was tended to by the physio a few times in the game, and when he was eventually dismissed, he had to be helped off the field by Ramakrishna Ghosh and the physio Tommy Simsek.
Reports suggested that Mhatre underwent scans on Monday to determine the extent of his injury. Chennai are currently eighth in the IPL standings, with just two wins from their six games.
Mhatre has scored two half-centuries, at a very impressive strike rate of 177.87 this season. This is despite him being asked to come at one drop, with Sanju Samson and CSK captain Ruturajh Gaikwad opening the innings for the this season.
