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'I wasnât really ...': Ayush Mhatre breaks silence on being retired out in CSK innings
TL;DR
Chennai Super Kings retired Ayush Mhatre during their IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals to boost their scoring rate. Mhatre, who scored 59 runs, acknowledged the decision was made for tactical reasons as he struggled to accelerate in the final overs.
Chennai Super Kings made a tactical decision to retire out Ayush Mhatre during their innings against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 on Saturday.
The decision came in the 18th over with CSK at 175/2, when the scoring rate had slowed after a steady middle phase.
Mhatre, who scored 59 off 36 balls, was finding it difficult to accelerate against spells from Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan. With runs needed in the final overs, the team brought in Shivam Dube.
âThere was nothing much. I was batting and the team needed some big shots. Shivam also can hit big shots. I wasnât really getting it going, so the team planned it that way. It happens in the game," Mhatre said after the match on Star Sports.
The move worked as Dube helped CSK add runs at the end and take the total to 212/2. Mhatre had earlier added 113 runs for the second wicket with Sanju Samson after an early setback.
Speaking about the stand, Samson said, âVery important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19 â he was so calculative. Shows the character he has."
CSK then bowled out Delhi Capitals for 189 to win by 23 runs. CSK secured their first win of the season and ended a six-match losing run at home.
CSK are ninth in the standings with one win and three losses, while DC are fourth with two wins and two losses.
Q&A
Why did Chennai Super Kings retire Ayush Mhatre during the match?
CSK retired Ayush Mhatre to bring in Shivam Dube for a faster scoring rate as Mhatre was struggling to accelerate against the bowlers.
What was Ayush Mhatre's performance before being retired out?
Ayush Mhatre scored 59 runs off 36 balls before being retired out in the 18th over.
How did Ayush Mhatre react to being retired out in the IPL match?
Ayush Mhatre stated that it was a team decision and acknowledged that such tactics happen in the game when the team needs big shots.
