SRH Sign RS Ambrish as Shivam Mavi Ruled Out of IPL 2026 With Groin Injury
Sunrisers Hyderabad have confirmed yet another squad change. Right-arm seamer Shivam Mavi has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a groin injury, and SRH have moved quickly to bring in Tamil Nadu all-rounder RS Ambrish as his replacement. The 18-year-old joins the camp for INR 30 lakh and is one of the more exciting young prospects to enter the tournament this season.
Who Is RS Ambrish?
Ambrish is not just any domestic filler signing. He is a right-arm medium pacer and left-handed batter from Chennai who genuinely earned his place on the big stage through sheer performance at the highest junior level available.
He was part of India’s U19 World Cup-winning squad earlier this year, held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. In that tournament, he finished as India’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets across the campaign. His most standout display came against New Zealand, where he picked up 4/29 and walked away with the Player of the Match award.
Comparisons to Hardik Pandya have already started doing the rounds, and while that is a high bar, the profile genuinely fits. He bowls with the new ball, can bat in the top six, and brings a genuine two-dimensional threat that is rare in Indian cricket at any age.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years |
| Home State | Tamil Nadu |
| Batting Style | Left-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium pace |
| U19 WC Wickets | 11 (joint highest for India) |
| IPL 2026 Contract | INR 30 lakh |
| Replaced | Shivam Mavi (groin injury) |
His background is strong. He captained Tamil Nadu to the Cooch Behar Trophy title in early 2025, contributing 85 runs and three wickets in the final alone. He has also played senior Ranji Trophy cricket for Tamil Nadu, making his first-class debut against Jharkhand in October 2025.
Why Mavi’s Absence Hurts
Shivam Mavi has had an injury-plagued career since his breakout at the 2018 U19 World Cup. He made headlines back then with consistent speeds above 140 kmph, earned a debut India T20I cap in 2023, and posted an impressive 2025/26 Ranji Trophy season with 18 wickets and a maiden first-class hundred. SRH bought him for INR 75 lakh ahead of this season, banking on that domestic form translating into IPL appearances. That plan has now been shelved entirely.
The groin injury rules him out for the full remainder of the season.
SRH’s Injury Problems This Season
This is not a one-off situation for the Sunrisers. SRH have had to make multiple replacements already in IPL 2026 squad updates.
| Player Out | Reason | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Edwards | Foot injury | David Payne |
| Brydon Carse | Hand injury (nets) | Dilshan Madushanka |
| David Payne | Ankle injury | Gerald Coetzee |
| Shivam Mavi | Groin injury | RS Ambrish |
Despite all that reshuffling, SRH are actually sitting pretty right now. They are on a five-match winning streak and hold third spot on the IPL 2026 points table. Pat Cummins leads the side and they are heading into a blockbuster Sunday clash against KKR at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
You can check the full SRH squad and fixtures for more on their revised lineup.
What Ambrish Brings to SRH
SRH already have heavy firepower with the bat. Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Kumar Reddy form one of the most explosive batting setups in the competition. Ambrish, however, slots in as bowling cover, giving Pat Cummins an additional seam option should injuries hit further.
His ability to bat in a pinch at the lower order also adds some flexibility. He is not coming in to play every game. But having a player with his skill set and adaptability available in the dugout is exactly what a squad pushing for playoffs needs.
Given SRH’s pace-heavy bowling philosophy and the way they press hard with aggressive lines, Ambrish’s tight lengths and new-ball ability actually fit quite well within their system. Check the full IPL 2026 schedule to see the upcoming fixtures SRH could potentially use him in.
What This Signing Means for Ambrish
For Ambrish personally, this is a massive step. He went unsold at the IPL 2026 mega auction despite listing himself at a base price of INR 30 lakh. Injuries at other franchises and his U19 World Cup performances kept his name circulating, and now SRH have pulled the trigger.
He has already made his Ranji Trophy debut, toured England and Australia at U19 level, and captained Tamil Nadu’s age-group setup. The exposure at a franchise sitting third on the table, with a five-game winning run behind them, is the kind of environment where a young fast-bowling all-rounder can actually develop fast.
Keep tabs on all the latest IPL 2026 live streaming options to catch SRH in action in the coming matches.
FAQs
Who is RS Ambrish and why has he joined SRH?
RS Ambrish is an 18-year-old Tamil Nadu all-rounder who was part of India’s U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2026. He has joined SRH as an injury replacement for Shivam Mavi, who was ruled out of IPL 2026 with a groin injury.
How much will RS Ambrish earn at SRH in IPL 2026?
Ambrish will join SRH for INR 30 lakh for the remainder of IPL 2026.
What happened to Shivam Mavi?
Shivam Mavi has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a groin injury. SRH confirmed the news on May 1, 2026.
How did RS Ambrish perform at the U19 World Cup 2026?
Ambrish was India’s joint-highest wicket-taker at the tournament with 11 wickets. His best performance was a 4/29 against New Zealand, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
Is this SRH’s first injury replacement this season?
No. SRH have made several replacements this season, including Gerald Coetzee for David Payne, and Dilshan Madushanka for Brydon Carse. Ambrish is their latest addition to cover Mavi’s absence.
Will RS Ambrish play immediately for SRH?
That depends on the team management’s call. He is likely to be available as a squad option rather than an immediate starter, given SRH’s current settled playing XI during their winning run.
