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On April 18, another player was added to Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) list of injured players in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Young top-order batter Ayush Mhatre injured his hamstring in the powerplay overs of run chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As Mhatre is set to miss at least a few games, CSK’s handling of his injury left Ravichandran Ashwin shocked. The former India off-spinner wondered why the physio and the team management let Mhatre bat despite him limping between the wickets before he was dismissed in the same over.
"I hope he is back. But by the look of it, I fear he will be out for a while," R Ashwin said on his YouTube show. "While coming into bat, he came with a strap on his knee. For two-three matches now, he has been playing as the impact sub. His injury has been a concern.
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"It couldn't have been a cramp because he did not field at all. If he had cramps when not fielding, we have to look at his hydration. Okay, let's assume it was an injury. The physios have gone out and checked him. He was limping, but you are asking him to play another ball and making him run between wickets.
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"I couldn't understand [that]. Should he have not retired out when he was limping? I don't understand how they can handle him so carelessly. It was shocking."
Injured Mhatre continued to bat
In the fifth over, Mhatre got injured trying to attempt a second run. He called for the physio and got the treatment. When Gaikwad took a single off the next ball, Mhatre was still barely limping towards the other end.
An injured Mhatre went for the big shot but didn't get enough power behind it as he was caught by Heinrich Klaasen. He departed after a 13-ball 30 cameo. After his dismissal, he needed teammate Ramakrishna Ghosh and physio Tommy Simsek’s help.
Hussey confirms Mhatre set to miss few games
After CSK’s 10-run loss, batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed that it is a hamstring tear. While the youngster will undergo scans and the extent of the injury will be clear. He will be replaced by either Urvil Patel or Kartik Sharma in the lineup. CSK’s next game is against Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 23 at Wankhede Stadium.
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