In a scathing criticism, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a furious attack on Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) medical and management protocols. Flash-point? Rising star Ayush Mhatre’s visible physical suffering during Chennai Super Kings’ defeat against 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 has hit a harrowing roadblock. Despite being used as an Impact Player to shield him from fielding duties, Mhatre appeared with a heavy knee strap after his knock. The situation turned from worrisome to controversial when Mhatre visibly limped between the wickets in the over in CSK’s failed chase of 195.
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Despite a physio checking him, CSK accepted the challenge and let him continue batting in the fifth over. To make matters worse, Ruturaj Gaikwad, their captain, called Mhatre for a quick single as he knew Mhatre was in serious discomfort.
The teenager limped over 22 yards and was in danger of getting into the striker’s end when he completed a single. However, in the very next delivery, Mhatre was caught at mid-off as he attempted to edge Nitish Kumar Reddy’s full-length delivery across the field. The young batsman was on 30 off 17 but an unfortunate injury led to his early dismissal. Ayush Mhatre got injured while batting in the power play. Image: PTI
Never one to mince words, Ashwin was appalled at the decision to keep the youngster on the field.
“Ayush Mhatre injury: I hope he’s back, but the way it looks, I’m afraid he’ll be out for a while,” Ashwin said on his YouTube show.
Ravichandran Ashwin blasts CSK injury management
He says Ayush might be out for a while
He asks how Deepak Chahar stays fit when he plays for Mumbai Indians but often gets injured in Chennai Super Kings. He also points out that teams like Rajasthan Royals pic.twitter.com/r8QEWpLbWf— Shyam (@Shyam_1200) April 18, 2026
“He came in with a knee brace when he got to bat. He played 2-3 games as an Impact Sub. People ask ‘Why is he an Impact Player? He’s not a good fielder?’. His injury was a concern.”
COMMENTARY IN COMPLETE SHOCK
The most critical part of Ashwin’s assessment centered on the immediate medical response on the field. As Mhatre struggled to move, the decision to let him continue to face deliveries and run was a failure of duty of care in Ashwin’s eyes.
“It couldn’t have been cramping because he didn’t field at all. Even if he got cramping even though he wasn’t fielding, then we have to look at his hydration. Well, it’s not cramping. Let’s assume it was an injury. Your physios came and checked him. He limped badly, you ask him to play the next ball!”
Ashwin broke down the clinical realities of the situation, noting that if the hamstring injury is grade 2 or worse, Mhatre could be sidelined for up to six weeks, a devastating blow for a young player in top form.
“I couldn’t understand it. Shouldn’t he have retired when he was limping? Ayush Mhatre was one of the stars this season. I don’t understand how they can treat him carelessly. I was shocked.”
“Everyone in the commentary box had their microphone on the table watching what was happening in complete shock. Very, very surprising.”
System failure?
Ashwin’s criticism went beyond a single incident, suggesting that CSK had developed a pattern of injury mismanagement. He starkly compared Mhatra’s situation to Deepak Chahar’s fitness issues, noting the stark difference in player availability compared to other franchises.
“I have been saying this for a long time. CSK has been hit with such injuries season after season. Deepak Chahar played for CSK for 3 years. He played a total of 16 matches. But for Mumbai Indians he played 14 matches in a row. The treatment of injuries starts long before the season starts and lasts for a whole year.”
Drawing on his own experience with Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin highlighted what “proactive” care looks like. “When I had a knee injury, Rajasthan Royals followed me all year. Muscle injuries that happen during the season are easily avoidable. When someone gets injured every year, how do you find players? You can’t find them in the bazaars.”
After Mhatra’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 start after top two Mhatre and Sanju Samson were ruled out, CSK struggled to keep pace with the required rate. With star batsman Dewald Brevis for 0, the Super Kings eventually fell short of the target by 9 runs, slipped to his fourth defeat of the season.
Apart from Ayush Mhatre, CSK have a long list of injury concerns. While MS Dhoni has been nursing a calf injury since the season stats, their pacer Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out for the season after picking up the injury in their win over Kolkata Knight Riders last week.
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
19 Apr 2026 07:50 IST
