Fast bowler Akash Madhwal has been signed by CSK as a replacement for the 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre, who will be missing the remaining matches of the IPL after getting injured while playing against SRH on Saturday, the 18th of April. Mhatre looked in fine form for CSK, scoring 201 runs in 6 games this season with a strike rate of 177.87. As per CSK sources, he will need 6 to 12 weeks to recover.

Madhwal was bought for a sum of INR 30 lakhs by CSK. The 32-year-old pacer from Uttarakhand attracted limelight during the 2023 IPL season when he claimed 14 wickets in 8 IPL games for the Mumbai Indians. He was bought by RR for a sum of INR 1.20 crore after being released by MI before the start of the 2025 season.

 During the 2025 season, he claimed 4 wickets in 4 games, due to which he went unsold during the 2026 IPL auctions but was included in the MI camp as a net bowler. The pacer was also part of the KKR team setup, where he took part in the trials. Madhwal registered his best bowling figures against LSG during the 2023 eliminator, registering figures of 5/5. Madhwal makes his entry into the team when some of the team’s key players are facing injury concerns.

MS Dhoni hasn’t played in the 19th edition as the former India captain and wicket-keeper batter is suffering from calf strain, while Australian pacer Nathan Ellis won’t play in the remainder of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. Another Australian pacer, Spencer Johnson, also faced a back stress fracture but has now recovered. Pacer Khaleel Ahmed won’t be available due to a right quadricep injury. However, Madhwal’s inclusion will provide a boost to the CSK pace department.