Ayush Mhatre set to miss rest of Mumbai’s domestic season after surgery for Grade 4 hamstring tear

Ayush Mhatre Hamstring Surgery: Mumbai Batter Faces Four-Month Layoff

Mumbai opener and newly appointed vice-captain Ayush Mhatre is expected to miss around four months of cricket after undergoing surgery for a Grade 4 tear in his right hamstring. The 19-year-old sustained the injury during Mumbai’s opening match of the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy season against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium, dealing a major setback to a year that had brought him into the national spotlight.

The recurrence raises concerns about Mhatre’s availability for the remainder of Mumbai’s domestic campaign and makes his participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to begin on December 14, highly unlikely. His recovery will now depend on rehabilitation and medical assessments, with any return to competitive cricket expected to be handled cautiously.

Details of Mhatre’s Hamstring Operation and Recovery

According to a report by The Times of India, Mhatre underwent a 90-minute procedure at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Sports orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala performed the operation to repair the recurrent Grade 4 tear in the batter’s right hamstring.

Dr Pardiwala has treated several high-profile Indian athletes, including cricketers Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as Olympic medallists Neeraj Chopra, Vinesh Phogat and PV Sindhu. A source quoted by the newspaper said Mhatre was comfortable and able to walk following surgery, and was expected to be discharged that evening.

A Grade 4 hamstring injury is a serious muscle tear and generally requires a substantial period of recovery. While the reported estimate is about four months, a player’s return timeline can vary according to how the injury heals and how rehabilitation progresses. Mhatre is likely to need a gradual programme that restores strength, flexibility and running capacity before he can safely resume full-intensity cricket.

Injury Occurred During Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy Opener

Mhatre’s latest setback came while he was running between the wickets on the opening day of Mumbai’s match against Chandigarh. He had scored 48 when his right hamstring gave way, forcing him to leave the field and take no further part in the contest.

The injury interrupted a strong start for Mumbai, but the team went on to secure a commanding result. Mumbai made 429 in their first innings before dismissing Chandigarh twice, winning by an innings and 155 runs. The victory was emphatic, though Mhatre’s injury cast a shadow over the team’s opening match and left Mumbai without one of its promising young batters.

The timing is particularly difficult because Mhatre had recently returned to competitive cricket after an extended rehabilitation period. His appointment as Mumbai vice-captain also reflected the confidence placed in him, making his absence a blow both on the field and within the squad’s leadership group.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Participation Looks Unlikely

The four-month recovery estimate puts Mhatre’s place in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in serious doubt. The tournament is due to start on December 14, and the timeline leaves little room for a safe return, particularly after surgery for a recurring hamstring problem.

For Mumbai, his unavailability could require changes to the top order and a reshuffle of leadership responsibilities. The team may need to rely on experienced batters while giving another player an opportunity to open. Mhatre’s absence also removes a young option who has shown the ability to score quickly and adapt to different formats.

Any prediction about the exact date of his return remains uncertain. The priority will be ensuring that the repaired muscle is fully recovered, rather than rushing him back to meet a tournament deadline. A premature comeback could risk another recurrence and potentially extend his time away from the game.

A Breakthrough Year Interrupted by Repeated Injuries

Mhatre’s injury history has become a concerning feature of an otherwise impressive 2026. He first suffered a left hamstring injury on April 18 during Chennai Super Kings’ IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The problem occurred while he was running between the wickets and forced him to leave the tournament before the campaign was complete.

Despite beginning the IPL season with a duck, Mhatre went on to become CSK’s leading run-scorer. Batting at No. 3, he scored 201 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 177.87, including two half-centuries. His scoring rate and composure made him one of the season’s notable young performers and strengthened expectations around his future.

Before the IPL, Mhatre had captained India to the Under-19 World Cup title in Zimbabwe in January and February. That achievement, followed by his performances for CSK, made 2026 a major breakthrough year for the teenager. His rise also brought increased attention to his fitness, workload and ability to manage the demands of a busy calendar.

Rehabilitation Delayed His Return to Cricket

The initial hamstring injury ruled Mhatre out of the T20 Mumbai tournament in June, the India A tour of Sri Lanka and the Duleep Trophy in August. He spent nearly three months rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he received treatment and worked towards a return to competitive cricket.

A later issue involving his right hamstring delayed that comeback further. The Ranji Trophy appearance was intended to mark his return, but the fresh tear has now led to surgery and another extended spell away from the game. The sequence of injuries highlights the challenge of rebuilding match fitness after a serious muscle problem, especially for a young player moving between formats and levels of competition.

What Mhatre’s Absence Means for Mumbai

Mumbai will have to plan without Mhatre for a significant part of the domestic season, while the batter faces a demanding rehabilitation process. His recent performances suggest he has the talent to become an important figure in Indian cricket, but his immediate focus will be on recovering fully and reducing the risk of another setback.

For supporters, the key question is not simply when Mhatre will return, but whether he can regain full confidence in his movement and running between the wickets. A carefully managed recovery could help protect his long-term prospects. Until then, Mumbai will need to adjust its plans, and Mhatre’s progress will remain closely watched as one of the major injury stories of the domestic season.