Ayush Mhatre Replacement CSK Akash Madhwal: Chennai Super Kings have found a replacement for Ayush Mhatre for IPL 2026. Mhatre has been ruled out for the entire season due to injury.

Chennai Super Kings find replacement for Ayush Mhatre

Chennai Super Kings have found a replacement for Ayush Mhatre. Chennai has signed 32-year-old fast bowler Akash Madhwal to replace Mhatre. Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring injury while batting in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, ruling him out for the entire season. Madhwal will receive ₹30 lakh upon joining the CSK team.

Akash Madhwal is a right-arm fast bowler. He made his IPL debut in 2019 as a net bowler for RCB. He was signed by the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for Suryakumar Yadav for the 2022 season. In the 2023 IPL season, he performed well for the Mumbai Indians, taking 14 wickets in eight matches.

Akash Madhwal made headlines when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.20 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He attracted a strong bid, but his performance was quite the opposite. He played just four matches for Rajasthan in the 2025 season, taking just four wickets and proving to be very expensive.

It can also be said that Chennai Super Kings needed a bowler more. Nathan Ellis was ruled out of IPL 2026 even before the tournament began. Khalil Ahmed was also ruled out of the entire season due to injury a few days ago. Therefore, the arrival of Akash Madhwal is good news for the Chennai team.

Well, with the arrival of Akash Madhwal and the departure of Ayush Mhatre, CSK's playing XI combination is bound to change. Mhatre was opening the batting, while Akash is a bowler. Now the question arises as to who will open alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.