Shocking CSK Move: 17-Year-Old Star Ayush Mhatre Replaces Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2025
You must have heard the IPL news of Ayush Mhatre in CSK by now. Chennai Super Kings have included a 17-year-old Mumbai player, Ayush Mhatre, to replace their injured captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ruturaj is not going to play any matches this season, and MS Dhoni has become the new captain of CSK.
The team is struggling to stay in the playoff race, having won only one match out of six so far. Fans are getting very excited on social media and want to see if this young talent can save CSK’s season. In today’s article, we have shared all the information related to this player with you guys, so let’s start the article and dive into the complete details.
Who Is Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush Mhatre in CSK brings a fresh face to the team. At the age of 17, he is a fearless top-order batsman from Mumbai. He started playing cricket at the age of 6 and underwent intense training. He used to wake up at 4:15 AM to start his practice. He has played 9 first-class matches and scored 504 runs, including two centuries, and has also played List A games, where he scored 458 runs.
His highest score of 181 runs against Nagaland has been quite famous. He remained unsold for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction, but he caught the eye of CSK during trials in Chennai, and from there, he got his big break.
Why CSK Chose Ayush
Ayush Mhatre in CSK was not a random pick. After Gaikwad’s injury, CSK needed a bold batsman, and Ayush performed very well in trials two weeks ago. His domestic scores, like a 148-run innings against Saurashtra, prove he can handle tough situations.
Coach Stephen Fleming and CSK scouts liked his attacking style very much, considering him ideal for the pressure of the IPL. MS Dhoni himself praised his skills a lot.
Although he is new to T20 cricket, with CSK’s trust, he can deliver a good performance and shine in the upcoming match against Mumbai Indians.
Challenges for the Young Star
Ayush Mhatre in CSK is going to face a challenging road ahead. Replacing Gaikwad puts a lot of pressure on him, and it won’t be an easy task. CSK’s batting is struggling at the moment, and they are currently at the bottom of the points table.
Ayush will have to face the best bowlers in the IPL, which is a huge leap from domestic games. He is not playing in today’s match against Lucknow SuperGiants but will join the team very soon. His youthful energy could likely shake up CSK’s batting lineup.
Fan Reactions
Ayush Mhatre in CSK has sparked a lot of excitement on social media. Fans love his story - a boy who used to travel 46 km from Virar to Mumbai, catching a train to pursue cricket. His viral note for Rohit Sharma last year shows his passion for the game.
There is some concern that the IPL might be a big stage for a 17-year-old player, but others point to his List A strike rate of over 135 and say he is ready and can perform well under Dhoni’s guidance.