Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting talent Ayush Mhatre was intervened by the umpires before he took the crease and had to undergo the gauge-test for his bat during their match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). However, the bat did not pass through and failed the test. Notably, Mhatre had walked out to bat after the second over when Sanju Samson departed cheaply for 7(7) in his first home match in Chennai jersey in the CSK vs PBKS encounter.
After failing the test, Mhatre had to ask for a change of bat from the dugout but interestingly, his bat did not clear the gauge-test for a second consecutive time. Despite two failed attempts, Ayush Mhatre, in the end was allowed to use his original bat only.
The reason for this, as it turns out, was a faux pas by the umpire, who was using the device upside down and hence wasn’t passing through the bat.
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After the initial hindrance, Ayush Mhatre was allowed to carry on with his first-choice willow and he used it incredibly well to register a fiery ffity. With CSK once again struggling with their top-order in the IPL 2026 after a dismal show in their opening clash against Rajasthan Royals and Samson’s early dismissal today, Mhatre’s knock added came at a crucial time and added impetus.
The dynamic right-hander registered a 29-ball fifty and in the process, became the youngest to score an IPL fifty in Chepauk at 18 years and 261 days.
At the time of writing this report, the CSK scoreboard reads 106/1 in 10.4 overs with Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad currently batting in the middle.
Initially signed as a replacement player last season for skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, he had already impressed with his batting prowess which made the five-time champions retain him for IPL 2026 too. The India U19 World Cup-winning skipper played seven games and smashed 240 runs at an impressive average of 34.28 and an aggressive strike rate of 188.97.
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