Why Mhatre's absence is a big blow for CSK in IPL 2026?

Chennai Super Kings suffered a major setback as Ayush Mhatre was ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a hamstring tear. The young batter, their leading run-scorer with 201 runs, provided explosive starts and stability. His absence has seemingly weakened CSK's top-order aggression, disrupted batting balance, and added pressure on a struggling squad as they fight for playoff qualification.