Chennai Super Kings have announced the replacement of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. They have roped in the 17-year-old youngster Ayush Mhatre for the season but he is highly unlikely to feature in their next game.
The five-times champions have not had the best of season in the IPL so far. they have managed to win just 1 out of their 6 games. And to make things worse their only consistent batter, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out for the season with an elbow injury.
Ayush Mhatre joins CSK as injury replacement
At such a time, there were several big names floating on the internet, who could have been named as the replacement for Gaikwad. This included the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal as well. However, the team has decided to go with the youngster Ayush Mahatre.
According to a report by cricbuzz, the player has been asked to join the team immediately. But, “He will join the squad in Mumbai in a couple of days,” Cricbuzz reports.
The Chennai based franchise has been keen about the player for the longest of times. He was called for trails ahead of the mega-auction and once again was asked to give a trail mid-season. Mhatre was one of the three players: Urvil Patel of Gujarat, and Salman Nizar of Kerela who trailed for CSK mid-season. and it seems that the franchise has finally decided to continue with Mhatre.
Who is Ayush Mhatre?
Mhatre is a 17-year-old youngster who represents Mumbai in domestic cricket. Although he has only played 9 first-class games, he has amassed 504 runs in them including two centuries and 1 fifty.
Apart from that, he has a pretty decent List A career as well. Mhatre has featured in 7 List A games and managed to score 458 runs in them with 2 centuries to his name.
Chennai Super King’s batting woes
CSK’s batting woes have been a significant concern this season. In their recent match against Kolkata Knight Riders, they posted a meager 103/9 at home, marking their lowest total at Chepauk.
Openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway have struggled to provide solid starts, and the middle order has lacked the necessary firepower to chase down targets or set competitive totals. The team’s inability to capitalize during the powerplay overs has been a recurring issue, leading to mounting pressure on the lower order.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence due to an elbow injury has further exacerbated the team’s challenges. As the captain and a consistent performer, his leadership and batting prowess were pivotal to CSK’s strategy. In his absence, the responsibility falls on seasoned players like MS Dhoni, who has resumed captaincy, and emerging talents to step up.
In addition to Mhatre, CSK has invested in several promising uncapped players this season. Anshul Kamboj, a 23-year-old pacer from Haryana, was acquired for ₹3.4 crore after an impressive domestic season, including a 10-wicket haul in a Ranji Trophy match.
Shaik Rasheed, part of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning team in 2022, was picked up for ₹30 lakh and has shown promise with a recent double century in the Ranji Trophy. Vansh Bedi, known for his power-hitting in the Delhi Premier League, was signed for ₹55 lakh, adding depth to CSK’s batting lineup. These young talents reflect CSK’s strategy to build a robust future by nurturing domestic prospects.
