April 23, 2026, 11:27 am
Chennai Super Kings have suffered a major setback in IPL 2026, with their in-form top-order batter Ayush Mhatre ruled out on Tuesday due to a hamstring tear sustained during their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18 in Hyderabad. Mhatre had been a key pillar at No.3 for CSK, scoring 201 runs in six matches and providing much-needed stability to the top order. His absence leaves a significant void as CSK prepare to face Mumbai Indians.The big question now is: who will replace Mhatre at No.3? As of now, CSK have not officially announced a replacement, leaving the team management with a crucial decision ahead of the high-stakes encounter.Here are 3 potential replacements of Ayush Mhatre at no.3 for CSK
Urvil Patel is a promising domestic talent already part of the CSK squad, He was retained by the franchise for Rs 30 lakh following a breakthrough performance in the 2025 season. While he has been benched for the initial matches of the 2026 season, he is the like-to-like replacement of CSK and a strong candidate to step into the starting XI due to an injury to Mhatre. He joined CSK mid-season in 2025 as a replacement for the injured Vansh Bedi. He made an immediate impact on debut against KKR, scoring 31 runs off just 11 balls.
In the ongoing season, Sarfaraz has transitioned from his red-ball dominance to a high-impact T20 role. In 6 matches so far, he has scored 147 runs at an average of 29.40 and smashed a 25-ball half-century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on 5 April 2026, which was his first IPL fifty in seven years. While his batting position is currently at no.4, he could replace Mhatre’s position giving batting depth to team by adding an extra batter.
Kartik Sharma is another in-squad option who could be tried as a flexible batting choice. He made his IPL debut on 30 March 2026 against the Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara, where he scored 18 runs off 15 balls and in his first three matches, he has managed only 25 runs at a strike rate of 119.05. He played as an impact sub, but Mhatre’s injury could give him a direct chance in the playing XI.
