Ayush Mhatre Joins CSK as Ruturaj Gaikwad's Replacement in IPL 2025 | Chennai Super Kings Latest Update

Ayush Mhatre Set to Join CSK as Ruturaj Gaikwad's Replacement in IPL 2025

In a season where nothing seems to be going right for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the franchise has made a strategic and future-focused move by bringing in the highly promising 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre as a replacement for their injured skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. This decision arrives in the backdrop of CSK languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table with just one win from six games.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Injury Forces CSK’s Hand

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was expected to lead the side with the calm authority he’s known for, suffered a hairline fracture on his elbow during CSK’s match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, 2025. Though he continued to bat in that game, the injury worsened over the next couple of matches, severely limiting his ability to play at his best. Eventually, CSK confirmed his unavailability for the remainder of the season, handing the captaincy back to the ever-reliable MS Dhoni.

This injury left a glaring hole at the top of CSK’s already struggling batting line-up, prompting the management to scout for an Indian opener who could not only fill in for Gaikwad in the short term but also serve as a future prospect.

Ayush Mhatre: Mumbai’s Young Sensation Joins CSK

After considering several options, including Gujarat's Urvil Patel, Kerala's Salman Nizar, and even the high-profile but currently out-of-favour Prithvi Shaw, CSK zeroed in on Ayush Mhatre. The young Mumbai opener impressed CSK scouts during trials held in Chennai and was subsequently confirmed as Gaikwad’s replacement.

Mhatre’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Having made his first-class debut for Mumbai in October 2024, the left-handed opener quickly established himself as a rising star. In just nine first-class matches, Mhatre has already amassed 504 runs, which includes two centuries and a fifty. His impact in the limited-overs format has been even more striking, scoring 458 runs in just seven List A matches with an impressive average of 65.42, including two centuries.

Many in Mumbai's cricketing circles believe that Ayush Mhatre has the potential to be a future India player, and this IPL opportunity with a franchise like CSK could very well accelerate that journey.

Ayush Mhatre to Join CSK Ahead of MI Clash

Given CSK's packed schedule and travel commitments, Ayush Mhatre is expected to join the team ahead of their high-voltage fixture against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 20, 2025. This will be a homecoming of sorts for the young Mumbai lad, who will have the opportunity to make his IPL debut in front of a home crowd.

Due to logistics and travel constraints, it is unlikely that Mhatre will be available for CSK's next match against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow. However, with the kind of form CSK's batting has shown this season, his inclusion couldn't have come at a better time.

CSK's Batting Woes Continue in IPL 2025

It’s been a season to forget so far for CSK. The once-feared batting line-up has struggled miserably. Players like Rahul Tripathi, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Shivam Dube have failed to produce consistent performances. The lack of intent, particularly in the powerplay overs, has been highlighted time and again, with CSK’s dot-ball percentage being alarmingly high.

The absence of a solid top-order performer like Ruturaj Gaikwad has exposed CSK's fragility, especially against quality pace attacks. The inclusion of Ayush Mhatre might not completely solve their batting woes, but it certainly provides a glimmer of hope for a fresh start.

Stephen Fleming’s Honest Admission About CSK's Struggles

CSK's long-time head coach Stephen Fleming, known for his calm and measured approach, didn’t shy away from admitting the team's shortcomings. Speaking at a recent press conference, Fleming highlighted the team's over-dependence on boundaries and the lack of "craft" in the batting department.

He stressed the importance of balancing power-hitting with smart strike rotation a quality that Mhatre, given his domestic performances, appears to possess.

MS Dhoni's Leadership Tested Yet Again

With MS Dhoni back at the helm, CSK fans hoped for the revival of their campaign. However, their recent crushing defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets at Chepauk further underlined that the problems run deeper than just leadership.

Dhoni, known for his tactical brilliance, now has the additional responsibility of mentoring a young and inexperienced batter like Ayush Mhatre in a high-pressure environment. If there's one leader in world cricket capable of nurturing young talent on the biggest stage, it's undoubtedly Dhoni.