IPL 2025: Stephen Fleming Puts Weight Behind Ayush Mhatre's Selection In CSK Game Against Mumbai Indians

Chennai Super Kings introduced Shaik Rasheed after regular opener Devon Conway lost his father, and the 20-year-old has impressed in a couple of games. The big surprise came when CSK introduced Ayush Mhatre against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede on Sunday, and he lit up the stadium with a breezy knock.

CSK experienced players have failed to lift their game, prompting the management to introduce Rasheed, Mhatre, and even rope in South African cricketer Dewald Brewis recently. Wrist spinner Noor Ahmad has already been doing well for them. Mhatre had joined the CSK setup just a week ago, as an injury replacement for skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. So, his fast inclusion in the playing XI raised a few eyebrows, but he came up with an impressive show on debut to build on his promise he has shown in domestic cricket.

"It's probably the position we are in (bottom of the table) and with the injury to Rutu (Gaikwad) and the form of Rahul Tripathi, which set his place under threat, and the passing away of a player’s (Convoy) father, which prompted us to take these decisions," CSK coach Stephen Fleming said, indicating they needed to fill those slots in the top order.

"We want to look towards youngsters, but we have others who can bat mostly down the order. We've had a few players through at our trainings, and he was a player that stood out," Fleming said on Mhatre’s inclusion.

"It's still very hard when you're in a nets situation to get a true gauge of a player, but from a skillset, he was very impressive and a very composed young man, which is often just as important. So both MS (Dhoni) and I were very impressed with the way he held himself together for the trial.

And then when the opportunity came up, we've obviously got a view to the future, and he was the name that was pretty easy to pick. The stage seems big but it's one that's familiar. We banked on him being comfortable with his surroundings (at Wankhede) and he certainly looked all that, so it was an impressive debut. ” Fleming added.