In an electrifying debut that showcased his immense talent, 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre made waves in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, scoring a rapid 32 runs off just 15 balls for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. Mhatre, who stepped in as an injury replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad, became the youngest cricketer to represent CSK, instantly capturing the attention of fans and cricket pundits alike.
Despite Mhatre's impressive performance, CSK faced a daunting challenge, ultimately succumbing to MI by nine wickets. The defeat marked Chennai's sixth loss in the tournament, putting their playoff aspirations in jeopardy. However, the focus remained on Mhatre, whose fearless batting style drew comparisons to his idol, Rohit Sharma, who was also playing in the match.
Growing up in Virar, just outside Mumbai, Mhatre's journey to the IPL has been nothing short of remarkable. His passion for cricket was ignited by watching Rohit Sharma on television, and the opportunity to share a dressing room with his idol was a surreal experience for the young cricketer. "Started playing cricket by watching him bat on television, to sharing a dressing room with my idol was such an unreal moment. Lots of learning to take forward," Mhatre expressed in a heartfelt note.
Dinesh Lad, the childhood coach of Rohit Sharma and current coach of the Mumbai U-19 team, praised Mhatre's confidence and positivity, highlighting that he exhibited a similar fearless approach to batting at a young age. "He is very confident like Rohit and extremely positive as well, which was certainly visible in his knock against MI. Rohit used to play in the same manner back when he was 15 as Ayush is playing right now," Lad stated in an interview with The Times of India.
However, Mhatre's ascent hasn't been without its challenges. Prashant Shetty, his coach, revealed that Mhatre faced a significant setback last year when he was not selected among the top-30 players for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) due to underwhelming performances in inter-camp matches. This disappointment left him feeling depressed, but with Shetty's guidance, Mhatre worked diligently to improve his skills and mental fortitude.
"Ayush wasn't picked among the top-30 NCA players last year because he failed to perform in the inter-camp matches. He was in a very depressed sort of mentality at that point. We started off by working on his technique, resulting in a confidence boost," Shetty explained. Mhatre's hard work paid off when he was called up for the KACA tournament, where he scored 51 runs in his first match, showcasing his hunger for success.
His standout performances in local tournaments led to selections for prestigious competitions such as the Irani Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he recorded the highest score of 181 runs off 117 balls against Nagaland. Mhatre's relentless pursuit of excellence has been supported by his family, particularly his father, Yogesh Mhatre, who made significant sacrifices to nurture his son's cricketing ambitions.
"Ayush's family is a middle-class household based out of Virar. His father Yogesh would unfailingly accompany him for matches while at the same time, juggle his responsibilities as a banker. Travelling for nearly six hours with a heavy kit bag daily for playing matches in Mumbai can be very exhausting and difficult. However, Yogesh sir has always been an extremely positive person who's never uttered a single word of criticism for his son," Shetty remarked.
In a bold move, Yogesh Mhatre left his banking job to devote more time to his son's cricketing career, a decision that speaks volumes about the family's commitment to Ayush's dreams. "He went to the extent of leaving his job as a banker a year back to devote more time to his son, which is definitely a big sacrifice considering their family isn't wealthy," Shetty added.
As Mhatre continues to impress with his performances for CSK, he is also focused on maintaining his fitness levels, a crucial aspect of his development as a cricketer. Shetty emphasized the importance of a healthy diet and fitness regimen, stating, "If you want to play for India, you need to improve your diet and fitness more than anything. If you compare his current fitness levels with what he looked like back in 2019/20, there is a huge difference."
After the match against MI, Mhatre had the opportunity to engage with Rohit Sharma, asking for tips on how to improve his game. This interaction, captured on video, showcased the mutual respect between the two players and highlighted Mhatre's eagerness to learn from one of the best in the business.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, expectations are high for Mhatre, who is set to feature in more matches for CSK. The team will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 25, and every game is crucial as they aim to secure a playoff spot. With young talents like Mhatre in the lineup, CSK fans have reason to be optimistic about the future.
In conclusion, Ayush Mhatre's debut in the IPL has not only marked the beginning of what promises to be an illustrious career but has also provided a glimpse into the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that underpin his journey. As he continues to grow and develop, both on and off the field, the cricketing world will undoubtedly be watching closely.
