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CSK's Trump Card, And...: IPL 2025 Injury Replacements Who Might Get Salary Hikes For Next Season

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Ayush Mhatre For CSK [Source: AFP Media]Ayush Mhatre For CSK [Source: AFP Media]

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League witnessed an unprecedented influx of injury replacements. Some of these players, through their performances, transcended from being mere squad fillers to genuine match-winners. Some of the franchises benefited from these injury replacements, and they would look to retain them for IPL 2026. 

As for the retention of these player, the franchises might either retain the injury replacements or the original players or both of them, but the overall salary cap must not exceed the limit permitted by IPL committee. So, there is a chance that based on the last year's performances and the current form of the players, a few of these players might get a salary hike ahead of the next season.

3. Mitchell Owen 

The Australian all-rounder became the centre of attraction after his explosive displays in the latest edition of the BBL 2025. Mitchell Owen's destructive batting and his ability to contribute with the ball earned him an IPL contract with the Punjab Kings when Glenn Maxwell got injured. 

Mitchell Owen [Source: AFP Media]Mitchell Owen [Source: AFP Media]

Although he did not deliver on the opportunities he got, Owen is constantly proving his worth in T20S. Notably, in his debut T20I series against the West Indies, Owen scored 125 runs at a blistering strike rate of 192.31. Besides his batting shows, he also delivered a few overs with the ball. Given his all-round utility and the fact that he can play as a floater in the batting line-up, Owen could see a serious salary hike ahead of the next season.

The timing of his international breakthrough would also elevate his value. In the IPL 2025 season, Owen was signed for ₹3 Cr by the Kings. With the overall value he can provide as a player, and his current international premium, Owen could see upto about a 100-150% raise in salary. It could be that PBKS retain him for a sum of around ₹6-10 Cr, or some other franchise could buy him for this price.

2. Ayush Mhatre

Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Ayush Mhatre was seen in the CSK nets giving a trial. However, during the auction, the season did not buy him.

But as the season started, CSK seemed to be lacking the firepower in their batting and struggled to get impactful scores in the powerplays. After a few games, their skipper and one of the prime batters, Ruturaj Gaikwad, got injured, leaving an even bigger hole at the top of the order. 

Ayush Mhatre for CSK [Source: AFP Media]Ayush Mhatre for CSK [Source: AFP Media]

At this juncture, the 17-year-old prodigy, Ayush Mhatre, was included in the CSK side. The aggressive batting approach of the young batter completely changed the way the franchise was batting in the league. He played seven matches in the tournament and scored 240 runs in them at a blistering strike rate of 188.98.

Notably, CSK just spent ₹30 Lakhs to sign this U-19 star. However, his performances transcended well above that value, and the batter sits as one of the prime candidates deserving a major salary increase ahead of the next season. Given the impact Mhatre had on CSK's batting, there is a chance that he could receive an over 1000% hike in salary for IPL 2026.

1. Dewald Brevis

One more injury replacement who had a significant impact on his franchise's batting was the South African talent, Dewald Brevis. CSK inducted Brevis as a replacement for Gurjapneet Singh for a price of ₹2.2 Cr.

Dewald Brevis for CSK [Source: AFP Media]Dewald Brevis for CSK [Source: AFP Media]

Brevis's arrival provided CSK with impetus, intent and aggression in the middle-order of the team. He batted in six innings for the Chennai Super Kings in the tournament and scored 225 runs in them at a strike rate of 180.00. This performance resulted in a fundamental change of philosophy in CSK's batting. 

A potential game-changer in the middle order, a good player of spin, and he has the age on his side. With the amalgamation of these three factors, Brevis looks like the best candidate to receive a salary hike for IPL 2026. There is a chance of a 200-300% salary hike for Brevis in the next season, and he could receive a contract worth around ₹6-10 crores.