Young Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre is set to don the yellow jersey for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025, replacing injured skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for the rest of the season. The franchise confirmed the development on Sunday, adding a glimmer of hope to what has so far been a disappointing campaign.
Mhatre, just 17 years old, joins the CSK squad ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Mumbai Indians on April 20 at the Wankhede Stadium. The youngster impressed during the mid-season trials in Chennai and will now have the opportunity to showcase his talent on the big stage under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
Gaikwad, who was appointed CSK captain at the start of the season, has been ruled out after suffering a serious elbow injury during the match against Rajasthan Royals. His absence is a major blow, as the opener had scored 122 runs from five matches, including two half-centuries, at an impressive strike rate of 150.62.
Mhatre, meanwhile, has been a promising prospect in domestic cricket. He made his First-Class debut in October 2024 during the Irani Cup and has since featured in nine matches, amassing 504 runs with two centuries and a half-century to his name. Despite going unsold in the 2025 IPL mega auction held in Saudi Arabia, the youngster’s performances have clearly kept him on CSK’s radar.
The Chennai-based team, however, is currently grappling with form issues. After a strong start with a four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in their season opener, CSK’s campaign has since gone off-track. They have suffered consecutive defeats to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings.
With Dhoni returning to the captaincy helm, fans are hopeful for a turnaround. CSK next face fourth-placed Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Monday, a match that could be pivotal in reviving their playoff hopes.
While Mhatre’s inclusion may be seen as a long-term investment, the youngster now carries the weight of expectations as the team looks to find form and stability in the absence of their regular captain. All eyes will be on how he adjusts to the pace and pressure of IPL cricket under Dhoni’s mentorship.
