In a recent interview, the 17-year-old young batter Ayush Mhatre opened up on his experience with the Chennai Super Kings team. He revealed in the interview that the franchise is like a family and everyone around him treats him like a child. Mhatre has said that everyone in the management and team treats him with extreme care, making the environment feel more like a home than just a franchise.
Mhatre has been a part of the team’s long term strategy since his inclusion in the franchise in 2025 where he came as a replacement to the skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Replacing the captain as an opener,Mhatre proved to be a good strategic plan as from the first match he has made explosive shots during the powerplay, increasing the team’s runrate during this period.
Mhatre has made headlines in the ongoing IPL 2026 season for his aggressive strokeplay and tactical "retire-outs". During a match against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 11, 2026, Mhatre was retired after scoring 59 off 36 balls. The decision was a strategic move by CSK management to bring in power-hitter Shivam Dube for the death overs when Mhatre's scoring rate dipped.
Ayush Mhatre's half century against Delhi Capitals
Ayush Mhatre scored a tactical 59 off 36 balls in Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) yesterday, April 11, 2026. Batting at number three, the 18-year-old brought up his second half-century of the season off just 27 deliveries before being "retired out" in the 18th over to make way for power-hitter Shivam Dube. Mhatre reached his milestone by hitting a six off a T. Natarajan slower bouncer over deep midwicket in the 15th over. He shared a 113-run stand for the second wicket with Sanju Samson (who scored a century), which is the second-highest partnership for CSK against DC in IPL history.
Ayush Mhatre has quickly established himself as one of Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) most valuable assets for the 2026 season. Mhatre is now only the second CSK player ever to be retired out after scoring a half-century.
