In a surprising move during the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have announced that Ayush Mhatre, a 17-year-old prodigy from Mumbai, will replace their injured captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for the remainder of the season.
Who is Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush Mhatre is a young right-handed batsman who represents Mumbai in India’s domestic cricket circuit. Despite being just 17, he has already made a mark in Indian domestic cricket:
- First-Class Matches: 9
- List A Matches: 7
- Total Runs Scored: 962
This means across these formats, Mhatre has consistently showcased the ability to handle pressure and perform against strong domestic sides, which caught the attention of IPL scouts.
His Entry to CSK:
- Transfer Fee: INR 30 Lakhs
- Replacement For: Ruturaj Gaikwad (injured)
- Role: Right-handed opening batter
Mhatre joins CSK not just as a young talent, but as someone expected to fill the void left by the injury to Gaikwad, who is a vital part of CSK’s batting unit and also the team’s captain.
What Makes This Special?
- At 17 years old, Mhatre is one of the youngest players to be called up by a seasoned IPL franchise like CSK.
- He is a huge fan of Rohit Sharma, another Mumbai-based legend, and now gets a chance to share the dressing room with MS Dhoni and other IPL greats.
- Being included mid-season means CSK has high hopes for him to deliver at the highest level.
Other News: SRH Signs Smaran Ravichandran
In a similar move, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have signed Smaran Ravichandran as a replacement for their injured Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
- Ravichandran plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket.
- He has played:
- 7 First-Class games
- 10 List A matches
- 6 Twenty20 matches
- He has scored more than 100 runs in his domestic appearances and is known for his versatility as a left-handed batter.
Just like Mhatre, Ravichandran has been signed for INR 30 Lakhs.
IPL’s Official Statement:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) confirmed these mid-season changes in an official announcement, stating:
“Chennai Super Kings (CSK) picked Ayush Mhatre as a replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) signed Smaran Ravichandran in place of the injured Adam Zampa for the remainder of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.”
Why Are These Replacements Important?
- Mid-Season Injury Replacements are common in the IPL when key players get injured.
- Teams often scout for young, under-the-radar talent who can step up quickly.
- For young players like Mhatre and Ravichandran, this is a career-defining moment, offering:
- Exposure to global cricket stars.
- High-pressure match experience.
- A chance to secure a long-term IPL future.
