NEW DELHI: A bizarre and slightly comical moment took place during the IPL 2026 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings when young batter Ayush Mhatre walked in to bat at No. 3. What should have been a routine start quickly turned into chaos, even before he faced a single ball on Friday.As part of standard procedure, the umpire checked Mhatre’s bat using a gauge. Surprisingly, the bat did not pass. A replacement bat was brought in, but that failed too.

Then came a third bat, and that also didn’t pass. At this point, Mhatre looked completely confused at the crease, while the Chepauk crowd watched in disbelief as the delay stretched on.Just when things couldn’t get stranger, the umpire realised the mistake, the gauge had been used upside down the entire time.

Once it was turned the correct way, Mhatre’s original bat passed the test instantly without any issue. What followed was a mix of laughter and disbelief, as all the earlier confusion turned out to be unnecessary.In the end, nothing really changed. Mhatre continued batting with the same bat he had originally brought out, and the substitutes were no longer needed. The incident had no impact on the match itself but quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the day.It also highlighted how even a small error in a high-pressure game can create big confusion. In a tournament already full of surprises, this unusual episode added another unforgettable moment to IPL 2026.