Ayush Mhatre

Ayush Mhatre, the name may still be new to some ears in the cricketing world, but for anyone tracking India’s domestic cricket scene and the rising wave of young talent, it’s one that has quickly become hard to ignore. Born on July 16, 2007, in the cricket-rich lanes of Mumbai, India, Ayush was drawn toward the game from a very young age. His journey mirrors the stories of many Mumbai greats before him, hours spent honing technique on the maidans, fierce school-level rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of precision, all of which helped forge his skill and temperament.

As a child, Mhatre stood out for his maturity at the crease, even before he entered the structured ecosystem of junior cricket. He was part of Mumbai’s Under-14 and Under-16 squads, often ranking among the top three batters in run aggregates for the season. 

His ability to build an innings while keeping the scoreboard moving at a healthy rate marked him as a player beyond his years. Coaches praised not only his talent but his cricketing intelligence — always aware of the match situation, always adapting. His strong performances in the junior circuits earned him his place in Mumbai’s Under-19 squad by the time he was just 16.

In October 2024, Mhatre’s domestic career took a significant leap forward when he was handed his first-class debut for Mumbai in the prestigious Irani Cup, facing the Rest of India side. He didn’t take long to make an impression, scoring a composed half-century in only his second match and then registering a career-best 176 in a Ranji Trophy fixture against Maharashtra. By March 2025, he had played 9 first-class matches, amassing 504 runs at an average of 31.50. His tally included 2 centuries and 1 half-century, solidifying his position as a reliable top-order batter for Mumbai.

But it was in List A cricket that Mhatre truly announced his arrival on the national stage. He made his debut on December 21, 2024, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Karnataka. What followed within days of his debut would make headlines across Indian sports media. 

On December 31, 2024, in a group stage match against Nagaland, the then 17-year-old Mhatre played an innings for the record books, smashing 181 runs off just 117 deliveries. This made him the youngest player ever to score 150 or more runs in a men's List A match, breaking a record previously held by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The innings was not just about milestones; it was a blend of intelligent shot selection, calculated aggression, and excellent running between the wickets.

In addition to his batting, Mhatre also offered his services as a right-arm off-break bowler. His ability to deliver tight overs in the middle phase made him a valuable dual-asset in limited-overs cricket.

His consistency and adaptability at both junior and domestic levels soon caught the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. In April 2025, just months after his List A breakthrough, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signed him as a replacement for an injured

Ruturaj Gaikwad for the IPL 2025 season. The signing itself signaled CSK’s faith in Mhatre’s talent and temperament, especially given the franchise’s long history of grooming young cricketers. Though yet to make his IPL debut at the time of writing, his addition to the squad reflected the growing belief in his potential to perform on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.

Beyond the raw numbers, what has impressed selectors, coaches, and fans alike is Mhatre’s composure at the crease and his willingness to play for the situation. Whether opening the innings or coming in at No. 3, he rarely shows signs of panic, often constructing his innings with the patience of a seasoned professional. His natural game combines classical technique with modern aggression, making him versatile across formats.

(As of April 2025)