R Ashwin (R) was heavily critical of CSK for making Ayush Mhatre (L) play on when he was injured. (Image: AP and Screengrab from Ash ki Baat on YouTube)

Made Ayush Mhatre run when limping! Ashwin slams CSK's shocking injury management

IPL 2026, SRH vs CSK: Former spinner R Ashwin did not hold back in his critique of Chennai Super Kings, saying he was shocked to see the five-time champions let Ayush Mhatre carry on despite a hamstring injury on Saturday. Ashwin added that those in the commentary box could not believe their eyes, slamming CSK's poor injury management.

19 Apr 2026, 02:20 by Akshay Ramesh · India Today

In Short

R Ashwin slams CSK's handling of injured Ayush Mhatre
Mhatre played despite visible limping and discomfort
Ashwin questions CSK's injury management protocols

In a scathing critique, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a blistering attack on Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) medical and management protocols. The flashpoint? The visible physical distress of rising star Ayush Mhatre during Chennai Super Kings’ defeat to SunRisers Hyderabad on Saturday - a scene Ashwin described as nothing short of "shocking."

Ayush Mhatre has been one of the breakout stories of the season, but his meteoric rise hit a harrowing roadblock. Despite being utilized as an Impact Player to shield him from fielding duties, Mhatre appeared for his knock with a heavy strap on his knee. The situation turned from concerning to controversial when Mhatre began visibly limping between the wickets in the powerplay in CSK’s unsuccessful chase of 195.

SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Highlights | Scorecard

Despite physios checking on him, CSK took the call to let him continue batting in the fifth over. To make matters worse, Ruturaj Gaikwad, their captain, called Mhatre for a quick single, knowing Mhatre was in serious discomfort.

The teenager started limping across the 22 yards and was in danger of getting run-out at the striker’s end as he completed the single. However, in the very next delivery, Mhatre was caught at mid-off when he tried to clear Nitish Kumar Reddy’s full-length delivery over the in-field. The young batter was on 30 off 17, but the unfortunate injury led to his early dismissal.

Ayush Mhatre picked up an injury during the batting powerplay. Image: PTI

Ashwin, never one to mince words, was appalled by the decision to keep the youngster on the field.

"Ayush Mhatre’s injury: I hope he is back, but by the look of it, I fear he will be out for a while," Ashwin said in his YouTube show.

"While coming into bat, he came with a strap on his knee. For 2-3 matches, he has been playing as Impact Sub. People are asking ‘Why he is an Impact Player? Is he not a good fielder?’. His injury has been a concern."

COMMENTARY BOX IN COMPLETE SHOCK

The most damning part of Ashwin’s assessment focused on the immediate medical response on the pitch. As Mhatre struggled to move, the decision to let him continue facing deliveries and running was, in Ashwin's eyes, a failure of duty of care.

"It couldn’t have been a cramp because he did not field at all. Even if he had gotten cramps even when not fielding, then we have to look at his hydration. Okay, it’s not a cramp. Let’s assume it was an injury. Your physios have come in and checked him. He was limping badly, you are asking him to play another ball and making him run between wickets!"

Ashwin broke down the clinical reality of the situation, noting that if the injury is a Grade 2 hamstring tear or worse, Mhatre could be sidelined for up to six weeks, which is a devastating blow for a young player in peak form.

"I couldn’t understand. Should he have not retired out when he was limping? In this season, Ayush Mhatre has been one of the stars. I don’t understand how they can handle him carelessly. I was shocked.

“Everyone in the commentary box kept their mic on the table and watched what was happening with complete shock. Very, very surprising."

A Systemic Failure?

Ashwin’s critique went beyond a single incident, suggesting that CSK has developed a pattern of poor injury management. He pointedly compared Mhatre’s situation to the fitness struggles of Deepak Chahar, noting a stark difference in player availability when compared to other franchises.

"I have been saying this for long. CSK have been hit with such injuries season after season. Deepak Chahar has played 3 years for CSK. He played a total of 16 games. But, for Mumbai Indians, he played 14 matches straight. Injury management starts well before a season begins and goes year long."

Drawing from his own experience with the Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin highlighted what "proactive" care looks like. "When I had a knee injury, Rajasthan Royals monitored me the whole year. Muscle injuries, which happen during the season, can be easily avoided. If every year, someone gets injured, how can you find players? You won’t get them in bazars."

Following Mhatre’s dismissal, CSK lost the plot as 66 for 3 in the fifth over to 154 for 7 in the 15th over. With Ruturaj failing to chip in after the top two of Mhatre and Sanju Samson were dismissed, CSK struggled to keep pace with the asking rate. With star batter Dewald Brevis getting out for 0, the Super Kings eventually fell short of the target by 9 runs, slipping to the fourth defeat of their season.

Apart from Ayush Mhatre, CSK have a long list of injury concerns. While MS Dhoni is nursing a calf injury since the stat of the season, their in-form pace Khaleel Ahmed was ruled out of the entire season after he picked up an injury during their win over Kolkata Knight Riders last week.

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