Chennai Super Kings have suffered a major setback in IPL 2026, with their in-form top-order batsman Ayush Mahatre ruled out on Tuesday due to a hamstring tear during their April 18 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad. Mahatre has been a mainstay 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 prepares to take on Mumbai Indians.Now the big question is who will replace Mahatre at number 3? As of now, CSK has not officially announced the replacement, which will require the team management to take a crucial decision ahead of the high-stakes encounter.There are 3 possible replacements for Ayush Mahatre at No.3 for CSK.
Arul Patel
Arul Patel is a hot homegrown talent who is already a part of the CSK squad, having been retained by the franchise for Rs 30 lakh after a stellar performance in the 2025 season. While he has been benched for the opening matches of the 2026 season, he is CSK’s replacement and a strong candidate to step into the starting XI due to Mahatre’s injury. He joined CSK mid-season in 2025 as a replacement for the injured Vinash Bedi. He made an immediate impact on debut against KKR, scoring 31 off just 11 balls.
Sarfraz Khan
In the current 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 scored a 25-ball half-century against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 5 April 2026, his first IPL fifty in seven years. While his batting position is currently at No. 4, he could add an extra batsman to replace Mahatre’s position, giving the team batting depth.
Karthik Sharma
Karthik Sharma is another in-squad option that can be tried as a flexible batting option. He made his IPL debut on 30 March 2026 against Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium, Burspara, where he scored 18 runs off 15 balls and in his first three matches he has scored just 25 runs at a strike rate of 119.05. He played as an Impact sub, but Mahatre’s injury could give him a direct chance in the playing XI.
