In a massive move, five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Akash Madhwal as Ayush Mhatre’s replacement for the remainder of IPL 2026.

U19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre looked in fine form in IPL 2026 for CSK but suffered a hamstring injury against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which ruled him out of the competition.

CSK rope in Akash Madhwal as replacement for Ayush Mhatre

Akash Madhwal, 32, who previously represented Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), in the IPL, has joined CSK for his base price of INR 30 lakh.

Also Read: “Shivam Dube is not a finisher”: Ravichandran Ashwin questions CSK batting order amid struggles in IPL 2026

Cricbuzz earlier reported that Madhwal had attended the CSK trials held in Hyderabad, where their last match was held.

Akash Madhwal’s career and performance in IPL

Madhwal had originally got his first taste of IPL cricket as a net bowler for RCB in 2021. The following year, Mumbai Indians signed him as a replacement player for the injured Suryakumar Yadav.

Madhwal made his IPL debut in 2023 and took 14 wickets in 8 matches for Mumbai Indians. That season he had a best performance of 5/5 in the Playoff against Lucknow Super Giants. It was the first time a bowler had taken a five-wicket haul in an IPL playoff match.

5/5 are also the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in IPL history.

In IPL 2024, MI finished last and Madhwal took only 5 wickets in 5 matches with an economy of over 11. In 2025, Madhwal joined Rajasthan Royals but only managed 4 wickets in 4 matches with an economy of over 11 runs.

After going unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, Madhwal has not been seen on the field since appearing for Uttarakhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2025.

CSK’s injury problems

Madhwal’s inclusion in the CSK i squad