Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been hit by another setback in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), as fast bowler Mukesh Choudhary has left the tournament following the passing of his mother.
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side has already endured a difficult campaign, dealing with injuries and inconsistent results. After six matches, CSK have registered two wins and four defeats. While they briefly recovered with back-to-back victories after three consecutive losses, they were beaten again in their most recent outing.
Injury Concerns Continue to Mount
CSK’s troubles began even before the season got underway, with both MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis dealing with injuries. The situation worsened as Ayush Mhatre was ruled out with a left hamstring issue.
More recently, left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed was ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026, leaving the franchise yet to announce a replacement ahead of their clash against Mumbai Indians.
Mukesh Choudhary Suffers Personal Loss
Mukesh Choudhary, who had taken on new-ball responsibilities in Khaleel Ahmed’s absence, lost his mother, Prem Devi, on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness. She had been undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Tata Hospital.
More Read
“The CSK family mourns the passing of Mukesh Choudhary’s mother. We stand with Mukesh and his family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the franchise said in a statement.
According to reports, Choudhary has travelled to his hometown in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, to perform the last rites alongside his elder brother, Dr. Rajesh Choudhary. The left-arm seamer is expected to miss CSK’s upcoming fixture against Mumbai Indians.
Selection Headaches for CSK
Choudhary’s absence leaves CSK short of options with the new ball. While he is likely to rejoin the squad after the Mumbai Indians match, the team management may consider bringing in New Zealand pacer Matt Henry as a replacement option for the next game at the Wankhede Stadium.
More Read
However, including Henry would impact the team combination, as it could mean leaving out one of Matthew Short or Akeal Hosein, with Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad, and Jamie Overton expected to retain their spots.
Additionally, CSK face another selection dilemma following Ayush Mhatre’s injury, with Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma in contention for the role.
Form Remains a Concern
After losing their opening three matches, CSK responded with wins over Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, they were outplayed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match.
Despite a disciplined bowling effort that restricted SRH to under 200, CSK’s batting unit faltered in the chase, finishing on 184/8 while pursuing a target of 195.
While qualification remains possible, CSK will need to rediscover consistency. The form of key players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, remains a concern as the tournament progresses.
