Chennai Super Kings Calls Up Ayush Vartak for Trial
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have announced the inclusion of Mumbai all-rounder Ayush Vartak for a mid-season trial. This move comes as CSK faces several challenges due to multiple injuries within their squad. The team has already lost Khaleel Ahmed due to a quadriceps injury, and Ayush Mhatre was ruled out after suffering a left hamstring tear. In the last match, Urvil Patel was brought in as a replacement but failed to make an impact.
Over the past few days, CSK has been conducting various trials to find a suitable replacement for the injured players. According to a source close to the proceedings, the team confirmed to the Times of India that Ayush Vartak has been called up for a trial on Tuesday. The source added, “Yes, Ayush has been called up for trials on Tuesday. He will reach Chennai on Monday night.”
Who is Ayush Vartak?
Ayush Vartak, born in Basal, Mumbai, has not yet made his mark in the senior Mumbai team. However, the 21-year-old has shown promise in various tournaments. He led the Mumbai U-23 team in the Col CK Naydu Trophy last season and served as vice captain in the 2024-25 season. During that time, he scored 770 runs in just seven matches.
In the Men’s State A Trophy 2025, Vartak demonstrated exceptional performance by amassing 363 runs in six innings, with an average of 72.60 and a strike rate of 169.62. He finished as the second-highest six-hitter in the tournament, hitting 26 sixes. His standout performance came during the Mangrol CC U-19 tournament, where he scored an unbeaten 215* off just 110 balls.
Recently, Ayush Vartak was awarded the MCA’s U-23 Outstanding Performance Award for the 2024 season, further highlighting his potential as a rising star in Indian cricket.
MS Dhoni’s Injury Concerns
MS Dhoni, the legendary captain of the Chennai Super Kings, has been sidelined due to a recurring calf injury. He missed the first eight matches of the IPL 2026 season, and his return timeline remains uncertain. Initially, he was ruled out for two weeks, but a setback occurred when he tweaked the same calf during a warm-up session, causing a delay in his recovery.
Head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that the early push worsened the injury. Although Dhoni has resumed light net sessions, he has avoided intense drills to prevent any further damage. In his absence, Sanju Samson has taken over wicketkeeping duties for the team.
With three wins in eight matches, the Chennai Super Kings currently sit in sixth place in the league table. The team is now focusing on finding the right replacements for their injured players while hoping for Dhoni’s return to full fitness.
