Young Chennai Super Kings batter Ayush Mhatre recently met Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru icon, at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Karnataka. Mhatre is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE after suffering a left hamstring tear during CSK’s Indian Premier League 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the tournament, and he is presently being monitored by the Board of Control for Cricket in India medical team. The right-handed top-order batter also posted a picture with Kohli on his Instagram account after their meeting at the CoE.
“An unforgettable conversation with a legend. ❤️,” Mhatre wrote while sharing the image on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaFMVaiM-4w/?igsh=MWp4bnRtM2E2ZTVwNA==
Coincidentally, Virat Kohli is also recovering from a right hamstring injury he picked up during the Indian Premier League 2026 final against the Gujarat Titans, which forced him to miss the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan national cricket team earlier this month.
The experienced batter, however, is progressing well in his recovery and has been included in India national cricket team’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England national cricket team, starting July 14, 2026, pending final fitness clearance.
Kohli will aim to regain rhythm as the Men in Blue continue to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the crucial 2027 Cricket World Cup, a tournament that could mark his final appearance on the world stage.
The right-handed star also enjoyed an outstanding IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 675 runs in 16 matches, including one century and five half-centuries.
A Look at Ayush Mhatre’s IPL 2026 Stats
Although Ayush Mhatre’s IPL 2026 campaign ended earlier than expected, the young opener impressed with his performances in the six matches he played. The 18-year-old amassed 201 runs in six innings, averaging 33.50 with a strike rate close to 180.
The aggressive top-order batter also notched up two half-centuries, with his best score being 73 against Punjab Kings. Mhatre will now aim to bounce back stronger in domestic cricket and continue pushing his case for a future spot in Team India.
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