Ayush Mhatre Fails 'Bat Test' Twice Due To Umpire's Error In Bizarre Incident During CSK vs PBKS Clash - Video

The IPL 2026 encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings witnessed a bizarre incident after Ayush Mhatre failed the bat test twice due to the on-field umpire's mistake. Mhatre came out to bat after Sanju Samson's dismissal against Xavier Bartlett but his bat did not pass through the gauge. A CSK player came out with another bat but once again, it did not pass the test. However, the umpire tested Mhatre's first bat again and realised that he was not holding the gauge in the proper manner. As a result, the first bat was deemed suitable for use and the match was resumed after some time.

Commentator Ian Bishop was left stunned by the incident as he remarked - "The gauge was upside down".

Coming to the match, Mhatre made history, becoming the youngest player to score an Indian Premier League (IPL) half-century at the iconic Chepauk stadium on Friday.

The 18-year-old Indian U19 World Cup-winning captain achieved this milestone during his side's match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Chepauk, scoring 73 in 43 balls, with six fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 169.77

At 18 years and 261 days of age, Mhatre is the youngest to score an IPL fifty at Chepauk.

Also, he has joined the elite list of Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (three) and Prithvi Shaw of Delhi Capitals (DC) for most fifty-plus scores in IPL career before turning 19.

His 73 is also the third-highest individual score in IPL before turning 19, with the second-highest score also made by him, a scintillating 94 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) last season. The best score by a batter in IPL before turning 19 is owned by Vaibhav Suryavanshi (101 against the Gujarat Titans at the age of 14 last season).

Since his debut season last year, Mhatre has scored 313 runs in nine innings for CSK at an average of 34.77 and a strike rate of over 183, with two fifties and a best score of 94.

Mhatre, coming in as an injury replacement for the skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, scored 240 runs in seven innings last season at an average of 34.28 and a strike rate of almost 189, with a fifty.

PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in both teams' second match of the season.

Knocks from Mhatre (73 in 43 balls, with six fours and five sixes), Shivam Dube (45* in 28 balls, with five fours and a six) and Sarfaraz Khan (32 in 12 balls, with six fours and a six) helped CSK reach 209/5 in 20 overs, with Vijaykumar Vyshak (2/38) being the pick of PBKS bowlers. Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett and Yuzi Chahal also took a wicket each.

(With ANI inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

Chennai Super Kings Punjab Kings Ayush Mhatre IPL 2026 Cricket