Ayush Mhatre Ruled Out of IPL 2026 With Hamstring Injury; CSK Eye Replacements

Chennai Super Kings' top-order batter Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 after sustaining a left hamstring injury during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18.

CSK have already been hit by multiple injury setbacks this season. Veteran MS Dhoni is dealing with a calf strain, pacer Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out with a grade 2 quadriceps tear, Nathan Ellis is unavailable, and now Mhatre's injury has further dented their squad depth.

With the tournament only halfway through, CSK face a significant challenge. The team may need to act quickly in finding replacements to maintain their recently regained momentum in a long and demanding season.

Here are five players who could replace Ayush Mhatre:

Deepak Hooda: Deepak Hooda, who went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, could be a viable replacement given his prior association with CSK in IPL 2025. He was picked up for Rs 1.70 crore but endured a difficult season, scoring just 31 runs in seven matches. Despite his struggles, Hooda brings valuable IPL experience and versatility in the middle order, making him a practical option for CSK.

Swastik Chikara: Swastik Chikara, a right-handed opening batter from Uttar Pradesh, is currently a free agent and has emerged as a strong contender. Known for his aggressive Powerplay approach, he can be a potential replacement. In March 2026, Chikara grabbed attention by smashing an unbeaten 195 off just 69 balls for Gomti Thunder in the Ayodhya Premier League. He was also part of RCB's IPL 2025 title-winning squad, although he did not feature in any matches.

Atharva Taide: Atharva Taide is another promising option who went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction. The Vidarbha captain recently led his team to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title, scoring a match-winning 128 in the final against Saurashtra. He has previously represented Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Taide offers stability and leadership, making him a strong candidate for CSK.

Manan Vohra: Manan Vohra, an experienced top-order batter, is also available as a free agent after going unsold in the 2026 auction. While not playing in the current IPL season, Vohra has remained highly active and successful in the Indian domestic circuit as the captain of Chandigarh. In March 2026, he completed the significant milestone of crossing 10,000 runs in domestic cricket across all formats, he can help CSK strengthen their top order.

Yash Dhull: Yash Dhull is another intriguing option. After going unsold in the 2026 auction, he has worked his way back into form following a major heart surgery in 2024. A prolific performer in domestic cricket, Dhull has limited IPL experience with Delhi Capitals in which he scored just 16 runs in 4 matches he played, but possesses strong potential. He could be a long-term investment for CSK as an injury replacement.