Chennai Super Kings suffered yet another injury setback as teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre was ruled out for approximately three weeks after sustaining a hamstring tear during their IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on April 18.
The 18-year-old walked in during the second over of CSK’s chase and looked in electric touch, racing to 30 off 12 balls, before stopping mid-run and clutching his left hamstring in visible distress. He was eventually dismissed shortly after and had to be assisted off the field by team physio Taifun Simsek.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the injury post-match, saying the youngster had suffered a hamstring tear and that scans would determine the full extent of the damage. Hussey described the loss as a significant blow, noting that Mhatre had been one of the team’s standout performers this season.
Mhatre is CSK’s highest run-scorer this IPL, having accumulated 201 runs in six innings at a blistering strike rate of 177.87. His absence leaves a glaring hole at the top of CSK’s batting order at a critical stage of the tournament.
The injury adds to a growing list of fitness concerns for CSK this season. The franchise had already lost pacer Nathan Ellis before the tournament began, while MS Dhoni was sidelined with a calf strain, Dewald Brevis missed early games, and lead pacer Khaleel Ahmed also suffered a hamstring injury.
With CSK currently placed seventh on the points table, Mhatre’s absence could not have come at a worse time, as the team gears up for a must-win encounter against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
Hussey, however, struck a positive note, saying the injury opens the door for another player to stake their claim, though replacing Mhatre’s form and firepower will be no easy task.
