Ayush Mhatre will be a regular starter for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2026 Indian Premier League, according to former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar. Prior to the IPL 2026 auction, the team has kept 15 players, including Mhatre.
Bangar said that after it was determined that the five-time winners would not qualify for the playoffs, CSK began playing Mhatre in 2025 in an effort to get ready for a major rebuild.
“I believe that they essentially began this rebuilding process during the previous season after realising they had little chance of qualifying for the playoffs. They thus began to provide opportunities.
Bangar said in an interview on Star Sports, “They spotted Ayush Mhatre, who I think is going to be a starter in the playing XI, batting at No. 3.”
Bangar also discussed how an international batter with sufficient experience was occupying the No. 4 place. He ranked Shivam Dube at number six and Dewald Brevis at number five.
“The fourth position is still up for grabs. Brevis and Dube can do exceptionally well at Nos. 5 and 6, thus they would prefer to have someone at No. 4. Brevis at number six, in my opinion. An experienced batter from abroad can take the No. 4 place,” he continued.
Mhatre had joined the five-time IPL champions as a stand-in for full-time skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad due to injury. In seven games, Mhatre scored 240 runs at a scorching strike rate of 188.97. In a losing effort, he scored his highest score of 94 off 48 against bitter rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
With nine spots left, including four abroad, CSK has a purse of INR 43.4 crore going into the auction. In contrast to the 2025 edition, when they finished last in the points table for the first time in the tournament’s history, they will try to improve their team for the 2026 IPL.
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