CSK got a new candidate – Ayush Mhatre will become Ruturaj Gaikwad’s replacement|
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is not doing well in IPL 2025. CSK, which are 5-time champions, are currently at the bottom of the points table, and their star captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is out of the entire season due to elbow fracture. Now the team has chosen a young and talented player, Mumbai’s opener Ayush Mhatre, as his replacement.
How was the election held?
According to reports, CSK decided late on Saturday night that Ayush Mhatre will be included in the team. Ayush’s base price in the auction was Rs 30 lakh, but no team took him. Now CSK has asked him to join urgently, but he will be able to join the squad after 1-2 days. According to CSK source “he will join the squad in Mumbai in a few days.” Currently CSK team is in Lucknow where their next match will be on Monday night at Ekana Stadium. After this their match will be on 20 April against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.
Why did Mhatre get a chance?
Apart from Ayush, CSK had also called some other players to Chennai for trial – Urvil Patel, Salman Nizar, and even Prithvi Shaw were also in the race. But the management finally showed faith in Ayush Mhatre.
Who is Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush is only 17 years old, but he is quite famous in the cricket circuit of Mumbai. He has:
Scored 504 runs in 9 first class matches (2 centuries + 1 fifty)
Scored 458 runs in 7 List A games (2 centuries)
His first class debut was in October 2024 and since then people are saying that “this boy is India material”.
What are CSK’s hopes?
CSK has won only 1 match so far, and after 5 consecutive defeats the team is desperate for a new match winner. Ayush’s arrival can give the team fresh energy and new hope – and perhaps this youngster will show his talent under the mentorship of MS Dhoni.
