13 October,2026 06:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ayush Mhatre (Pic: CSK)
In a significant setback at the beginning of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign, newly appointed vice-captain Ayush Mhatre has sustained a Grade 4 tear in his right hamstring, leaving him facing a prolonged period on the sidelines.
The 19-year-old opener is anticipated to miss four to six weeks of competitive action, although recovery timelines for a Grade 4 tear often extend up to three months depending on rehab progress and injury severity.
Mhatre picked up the injury on Sunday during the opening day of Mumbai's Group D fixture against Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium, a match Mumbai ultimately won by an innings and 155 runs on Tuesday.
This fresh blow comes after Mhatre, who captained India U-19 to a record sixth World Cup triumph earlier this year, spent three months recovering from a left hamstring injury suffered during an IPL clash between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18.
Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad confirmed that Mhatre pulled up while running between the wickets against Chandigarh. Mhatre, who opened alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, scored 48 runs off 82 balls, hitting seven boundaries and a six.
"It seems that he will not be with the team for some time now. The way he was limping in the match, it does not look like he would be available for the second or the third match," Lad stated post-game. "It happened while running (between the wickets), because we had two or three simulations (matches) and club games and also played at the BKC (Ground), and he was looking fine for the last 3-4 matches, but he felt something in his hamstring while taking a second run."
"It looks very sad. He worked really hard in the off season. He was doing rehab with me only at BKC and he would come all the way from Virar and do his rehab and go back. It happens, it is a part of the game, and we will try to motivate him," Lad noted.
Mumbai will have to field a new opening combination when they face Himachal Pradesh in Dharamsala from October 18-21, as Jaiswal also departs to link up with the India A squad for their tour of New Zealand.
(With inputs from PTI)
