IPL 2026: Ex-RCB coach backs Ayush Mhatre as CSK’s permanent No. 3

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has opined that Ayush Mhatre will be used as a regular starter by Chennai Super Kings in the 2026 Indian Premier League. Mhatre is one of the 15 players retained by the franchise ahead of the auction for IPL 2026.

Bangar reflected on how CSK started playing Mhatre in 2025 after it was virtually confirmed that the five-time champions will not make it to the playoffs in a bid to prepare for a big rebuild.

“I think, more or less, they started this rebuilding phase in the last season itself, wherein they found that they didn’t have a chance to make it to the playoffs. So they started giving opportunities. They spotted Ayush Mhatre, who I think is going to be a starter in the playing XI, batting at No. 3,” shared Bangar during an interaction on Star Sports.

Bangar also spoke on the No. 4 spot being occupied by an overseas batter with adequate experience. He considered Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube to play at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

“No. 4 slot is still an open-ended thing. They would want to have somebody at No. 4 because Brevis and Dube can do a very, very good job at No. 5 and No. 6. I would say Brevis at No. 6. That No. 4 spot can go to an experienced overseas batter,” he added.

Mhatre had come into the five-time IPL champions’ setup as an injury replacement of full-time captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Mhatre registered 240 runs in seven matches at a blistering strike rate of 188.97. His highest score of 94 off 48 against arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru unfortunately came in a losing cause.

CSK have a remaining purse of INR 43.4 crore left. They have a total of nine slots remaining, including four overseas positions. They will aim on finetuning their squad in order to have a much better IPL 2026 as compared to the 2025 iteration in which they finished rock bottom in the points table.