Ayush Mhatre ruled out IPL 2026: Biggest blow to Chennai Super Kings, Ayush Mhatre out of IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings batsman Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a left hamstring injury. The franchise confirmed this on Tuesday. The Under-19 World Cup-winning captain suffered a hamstring strain while batting in the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Saturday. The franchise said that it will take 6-12 weeks to recover from his injury, due to which he will not be able to play further in the tournament.

Ayush had scored two half-centuries
Ayush Mhatre has been an important top-order batsman of CSK, who used to help the team score fast runs in the last overs of the powerplay after one or both the openers were out. This Mumbai batsman has scored 201 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 177.88, which includes two half-centuries. Last season, after joining the team due to injury to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, he scored 240 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 188.98.

How was Ayush Mhatre injured?
The youngster was seen holding his left hamstring while trying to take a second run while batting against SRH in Hyderabad on April 18. Before getting out, he required first aid on the field several times and on his return, Ramakrishna Ghosh and physio Tommy Simsek helped him off the field, after which the batsman was scanned on Monday to ascertain the severity of his injury.

Ayush Mhatre used to help Chennai get a good start or improve a bad start.

How big a blow for CSK?
Mhatre’s absence will be a big blow to CSK’s chances of victory, as the five-time champion team is already struggling and losing momentum in the tournament. After losing their first three matches, CSK won the next two, but lost again in Hyderabad recently. Mhatre has been the team’s top scorer so far, scoring two half-centuries and has a very impressive strike rate of 177.87.

Chennai Super Kings struggling with injury
A few days ago, CSK suffered a big blow when fast bowler Khalil Ahmed was ruled out of the tournament. Nathan Ellis got injured even before the tournament started and Dewald Brewis also did not play in the initial matches. Experienced MS Dhoni is not available to play yet and will be one of the contenders for a place in the playing eleven on the basis of fitness. CSK’s next match is against Mumbai Indians on 23 April at Wankhede Stadium.