Chennai Super Kings Signs Young Star as Injury Hits Captain

CHENNAI, India — The Chennai Super Kings have officially recruited 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre as a replacement for injured captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for the remainder of IPL 2025, the team announced Monday. The move comes after Gaikwad suffered an elbow fracture, leaving a significant gap in the lineup for the five-time champions.

Mhatre, who has yet to make his T20 debut, is known for his impressive performances in List A and first-class cricket. In just seven List A matches, he registered two centuries, including a remarkable 181 runs off 117 balls, followed by 148 off 93 balls.

His remarkable talent was highlighted by CSK’s bowling consultant, who expressed excitement over Mhatre’s fearless gameplay, noting that he embodies the aggressive style that CSK values. “He came into the trial at Chennai, and it was just amazing how these young cricketers play. They play a fearless brand of cricket,” the consultant stated.

Mhatre has also represented India at the Under-19 level, participating in three games during the Asia Cup 2024. His first-class debut saw him score 176 runs during the Irani Cup, further solidifying his reputation as a promising prospect.

Ruturaj Gaikwad initially led CSK through their first five matches of IPL 2025, but unfortunately, the team ended up losing four of those games. His injury now puts immense pressure on Mhatre as he steps into a key role at such a young age.

In another notable move, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have signed Karnataka batter Smaran Ravichandran as a replacement for Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who has been sidelined with an unspecified injury. Ravichandran showcased his talent in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 433 runs in seven innings at an average of 72.16. He joins SRH for the base price of INR 30 lakh.

As the IPL 2025 season progresses, both CSK and SRH will be relying on their new signings to turn their fortunes around and make a strong impact in the tournament.