New Delhi, April 14 (H.S.): Chennai Super Kings (CSK), struggling with poor performance so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, has made a significant decision. After captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out for the entire season due to injury, the franchise has included young opener Ayush Mhatre from Mumbai in the team. The 17-year-old Mhatre has been asked to join the team within two days and may soon become a part of the CSK squad.

This season has been extremely disappointing for Chennai Super Kings so far. The team has only won one out of seven matches and has faced defeat in five consecutive games. Meanwhile, the team’s troubles have increased as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is out for the entire season due to an elbow fracture.

According to a Reports, the CSK management had called Ayush Mhatre along with Urvil Patel (Gujarat), Salman Nizar (Uttar Pradesh), and Prithvi Shaw for trials in Chennai. However, based on performance and fitness, Ayush Mhatre was selected. Mhatre, who attracted no buyers at the auction for IPL 2025 with a base price of ₹30 lakh, has now received a significant opportunity.

CSK is currently in Lucknow for their seventh match, where they will face the Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night. After that, the team will take on the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on April 20. It is expected that Ayush Mhatre will join the CSK squad in Mumbai.

17-year-old Ayush Mhatre is an emerging star in the Mumbai cricket circles. In the nine First-Class matches he has played so far, he has scored 504 runs, including two centuries and one half-century. Additionally, in seven List A matches, he has amassed 458 runs. Debuting last October, experts consider Mhatre to be a future Indian cricket player.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar