Image: CSK signs 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre as replacement for injured Gaikwad / © IPL.com
With the unfortunate injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai Super Kings have signed 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre as his replacement for the remainder of IPL 2025. Gaikwad, CSK’s captain, fractured his elbow, ruling him out of the season and prompting the franchise to hand over leadership duties to MS Dhoni. However, the team needed a strong batting option to fill Gaikwad’s spot, and after a successful two-week trial, they offered Mhatre a contract.
Mhatre, a promising young batter from Mumbai, has already built an impressive record in domestic cricket. He has played nine first-class matches, scoring two centuries and a half-century. In List A cricket, he has seven appearances, with a standout score of 181 against Nagaland and another big knock of 148 against Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, highlighting his ability to convert starts into big scores.
Coming from a modest background, Ayush credits his family, especially his grandfather, for their constant support. He began playing cricket seriously at age 10 and trained daily despite financial challenges. His journey reflects both talent and resilience, and CSK fans will be eager to see the teenager shine on the big stage.