Mhatre will be available for CSK’s match against Mumbai Indians on April 20. | File Photo: Vijay Soneji
Chennai Super Kings has picked Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre as replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad for the rest of the IPL-18 season.
The CSK skipper suffered a hairline fracture on his right elbow after getting hit while batting against Rajasthan Royals at Guwahati on March 30.
Ruturaj played two more games against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings but was ruled out of the tournament before the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders last Friday.
He led the Super Kings in five games before the injury ruled him out, with M.S. Dhoni taking over as captain. Mhatre will be available for CSK’s match against Mumbai Indians on April 20. He will join the former champion at a base price of ₹30 lakh.
Earlier this month, the Super Kings had called a couple of domestic cricketers, including Mhatre, for trials in Chennai and has now decided to take a punt on the aggressive youngster to add some much-needed batting firepower to its line-up.
The batter had an impressive start to his domestic career last year, scoring 458 runs in seven matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including two centuries and a highest of 181.
He was equally impressive in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 504 runs from nine outings and slamming two hundreds. Mhatre, however, is yet to play in a domestic T20 game.
Published – April 15, 2025 12:42 am IST