Ashwin Tells CSK to Loan Vihaan Malhotra From RCB After Mhatre’s Injury
Ayush Mhatre is out for the season. Ravichandran Ashwin already has a replacement in mind.
The former India spinner went public with his suggestion — loan 19-year-old Vihaan Malhotra from Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Malhotra was part of India’s U19 World Cup-winning squad and smashed 240 runs in seven innings at an average of 60. He hasn’t played a single game for RCB yet, which makes him eligible under the loan window rules.
The window runs between Match 20 and 34 of the season — the timing is right. And under IPL rules, the loaned player cannot face his original franchise.
CSK are already without Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. Dhoni still hasn’t played. Mhatre was their only top-order bright spot.