Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has always been fond of cricket and social media, once again took to his social media handle to praise two particularly young players who could be the future.
Reacting to the news of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and India Under-19 batsman Ayush Mhatre being ruled out of IPL 2026, Ashwin put forward the names of two of Mhatre’s Under-19 World Cup-winning teammates, one of whom is currently contracted to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), as replacements should CSK sign.
CSK injury problem
CSK are currently eighth in the IPL 2026 points table and are troubled by injuries. Nathan Ellis was dropped before the tournament started and replaced by Spencer Johnson. But Johnson himself is recovering from injury and is not associated with the team. MS Dhoni is recovering from a calf injury and has not played any matches.
Also read: Big blow to CSK, Ayush Mhatre out of IPL 2026
Dewald Brevis missed the opening matches due to injury but returned to the team. Unfortunately, due to injury he has had to sit out the last few matches. Now almost halfway through the season, CSK have lost both Khaleel Ahmed and Ayush Mhatre to injuries. He has not yet named the replacement for either of them.
Ravichandran Ashwin suggests two replacements for Ayush Mhatre
Ravichandran Ashwin took to his Ax account and suggested that CSK could try out one of the two young players as a replacement for Mhatre.
Ayush Mhatre was the captain when India won the Under-19 World Cup in February this year, and both the names suggested by Ashwin were Mhatre’s teammates; In fact, one of them was Mhatre’s vice-captain.
Vihaan Malhotra
Malhotra is a batting all-rounder from Punjab who bats left-handed and also bowls some offspin. He was the vice-captain of the Indian Under-19 team that won the World Cup this year. In that tournament, he scored 240 runs at an average of 60, including two fifties, and took five wickets, including four against Bangladesh.
In the IPL 2026 auction, Vihaan Malhotra was bought by RCB for his base price of Rs. 30 million. Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that CSK could sign Malhotra on the loan system, as he has not played for RCB yet.
Abhigyan Kundu
The second name suggested by Ashwin was Mumbai left-handed wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu.
Kundu was the wicketkeeper of the Ayush Mhatre-led team that became champions in the Under-19 World Cup. He scored 239 runs at an average of 59.75 with two fifties in the Colts tournament. However, his biggest glory came two months ago in the Under-19 Asia Cup when he scored a double century against Malaysia.
Abhigyan Kundu is currently not contracted with any IPL franchise and could be picked up by CSK.
See Ravichandran Ashwin’s post:
With so many injuries on the horizon!
The loan window will close after the seventh game and it would be a good idea to loan out this sensational talent from RCB.
He hasn’t played a single match yet, so this is a viable option.
If not Vihaan then Abhigyan Kundu is also left handed… pic.twitter.com/CimZCIjTyV
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 21 April 2026
CSK campaign and upcoming matches
CSK have won only two of their six matches so far and are eighth in the points table. In their next match, they will face seventh-placed Mumbai Indians, who have also won just two of their six matches.
The marquee ‘El Clasico’ match will be held on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium.
