The five-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings, have recently made an audacious headline as they have signed Ayush Mhatre as a replacement for CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. The stylish right-handed CSK skipper has been ruled out due to injury. CSK's decision to sign the 17-year-old teenage sensation showcases its commitment to nurturing young talent.
Replacing a player like Ruturaj Gaikwad is not at all a small task for the franchise, but CSK's faith in this 17-year-old teenage sensation highlights their belief in his potential. All eyes must be set on this young talent to see how well he performs against the best bowlers and best batters of the world, making their presence in the cash-rich league.
Who is Ayush Mhatre?
Mhatre seems to be one of the best batters, born on July 16, 2007. He is a right-handed hitter and off-break bowler from the Mumbai side. The Mumbai opener has recently made his debut for the Ranji Trophy season in 2024-25.
Ayush Mhatre's List A Cricket Stats:
The stylish right-handed batter has piled up an incredible 458 runs in the seven matches with an average of 65.42, featuring two hundreds with a top score of 181.
Ayush Mhatre's first-class records:
The star batter has made 504 runs in nine matches with a highest score of 176. This record must have impressed CSK selectors to make him a part of the franchise.
Ayush Mhatre's Under-19 records:
The star batter has represented the Indian team in the Under-19 Asia Cup, where he has racked up 174 runs in just five innings and played a crucial role in guiding the nation to storm into the final showdown.
What are the probable reasons behind CSK signing Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush Mhatre boasts a stellar domestic record, and his ability to give the team a great start must have impressed the selectors.
The stylish right-handed batter is now set to be the youthful blend in the team. It will help CSK to nurture young talents like him.
Mhatre definitely seems to offer versatility, as he can bowl off-spin alongside batting at the top order of the game, which might be fruitful for CSK.
The above reason somehow showcases that Mhatre's inclusion might fill the gap left by the CSK captain and might help the franchise use him as a pure bowler and batter. Notably, Mhatre has had a stellar domestic season, and if he replicates his domestic success in IPL, CSK will be signing him for many years.