IPL 2026: How could CSK fill Ayush Mhatre's place against MI?

Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to face their arch-rivals, Mumbai Indians (MI), in their next clash of the Indian Premier League 2026. The encounter will take place on Thursday, April 23, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Ahead of the encounter, Chennai have suffered a big blow as Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out due to an injury. He suffered a hamstring injury while batting in the previous games against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Initially, he was expected to miss a few games and return in the latter stage of the tournament. However, CSK informed that he would need 6-12 weeks to recover and would not be able to return to the league.

Mhatre has shown a brilliant form in IPL 2026 and is CSK’s leading run-scorer with 201 runs, including two half-centuries. The Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co. will now have to shuffle their batting order in the clash against Mumbai. Below are three ways in which CSK can replace Ayush Mhatre in the encounter.

3 ways CSK could fill Ayush Mhatre’s place-

1. Induct Urvil Patel in the playing XI

Urvil Patel joined CSK as a replacement player last season and impressed with his performances in the limited opportunities. He scored 68 runs in three games at a strike rate of 212.50. Like Ayush, he is also a top-order batsman.

Last year, he impressed while playing for Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, scoring a 31-ball hundred against Services. He has been benched in all games so far. He is known for his aggressive batting, and Chennai can induct him into the playing XI as a replacement for Mhatre.

2. Promote Sarfaraz Khan at No.3

Sarfaraz Khan has done a brilliant job in the middle order for CSK so far, scoring 147 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 170.93, including a half-century. Although CSK have utilised him in the middle-order, they can also play him at the top.

In SMAT 2025-26, he batted at No. 3 for Mumbai in many games and played some incredible knocks. The right-handed batter scored quickfire half-centuries against Assam and Rajasthan.

Since Super Kings already have Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube in the middle-order, promoting Sarfaraz against MI will be a good move. Moreover, since Sarfaraz plays for Mumbai in the domestic circuit, he can perform well at the Wankhede Stadium.

3. Utilise Matthew Short in the top order

Matthew Short has played two matches for CSK so far, in which he has failed to make any impressive performance. However, he has played at No. 4, which is not his expertise.

Short has a good experience of facing pacers in the Powerplay. He has played at No. 3 in the Big Bash League (BBL). Therefore, CSK can also utilise him in the top order against Mumbai. The batting-friendly wicket at Wankhede will also suit his aggressive style.

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