The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have officially announced Ayush Mhatre as the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad for the remainder of the season.
Mhatre had been called up for a trial two weeks ago by the franchise to assess his batting performance in the nets. Following Gaikwad’s injury, CSK decided to bring in the young talent as a part of their squad going forward.
Read on!
Gaikwad Replacement IPL 2025
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have officially signed Ayush Mhatre, a young opener from Mumbai, as the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been ruled out of IPL 2025 due to a hairline fracture on his elbow.
There had been widespread speculation that Prithvi Shaw—who went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction—might be called in as a replacement, but CSK ultimately opted for Mhatre, who had recently undergone a trial with the team.
Gaikwad Inquiry Update
On March 30, during a match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals, Ruturaj Gaikwad sustained an injury. Despite the setback, he managed to play two more games afterward, scoring just 5 and 1 runs, indicating he wasn't at full fitness.
Ahead of CSK's clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed Gaikwad's unavailability for the rest of the season. This development led to MS Dhoni stepping back in as captain, reclaiming the leadership role for the team.
Why was it Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush Mhatre, who has been named as the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2025, has already made a mark in India's domestic cricket scene. Representing Mumbai, Mhatre has played nine first-class matches, where he has scored two centuries and a half-century, showcasing solid consistency and potential.
In List A cricket, he has played seven matches and notably scored a career-best 181 against Nagaland, underlining his ability to play big innings.
His domestic record has drawn attention, and with this IPL call-up, Mhatre now has the chance to make an impact on a larger stage with Chennai Super Kings.
Who is Ayush Mhatre?
| Full Name | Ayush Mhatre |
| Born | July 16, 2007 |
| Age | 17y 273d |
| Batting Style | Right hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Right arm Offbreak |
Ayush Mhatre, born in July 2007, is a teenage cricket prodigy from Virar, a suburb on the outskirts of Mumbai. Coming from a humble background, Mhatre started playing cricket at just six years old, but it was only at 15 that he began to seriously consider it as a professional career.
An opening batter, Mhatre made his first-class debut at the age of 17 for Mumbai in the 2024–25 Irani Cup. He quickly made headlines by scoring his maiden first-class century—a remarkable 176 against Maharashtra in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy.
Notably, Mhatre also became the youngest player to score 150+ runs in men’s List A cricket, breaking the previous record held by Yashasvi Jaiswal. His rapid rise and impressive performances have now earned him a spot in the Chennai Super Kings squad as a replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2025.
Ayush Mhatre Achievements
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Youngest batter to score 150+ in List A cricket | 181 off 117 balls vs Nagaland, Age: 17 years and 291 days |
| Fifty on Ranji debut | 52 from 71 balls vs Baroda |
| Century against CSK captain's team in Ranji Trophy | 176 from 232 balls vs Maharashtra, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| Under-19 Asia Cup 2024/25 | 2nd most runs (176) for India U19 team |
| List A Bowling Record | 7 wickets, including the wicket of Abhishek Sharma (India & SRH opener) |
