17-Year-Old Cricket Star Ayush Mhatre Shines Bright in IPL!

Mumbai: Meet Ayush Mhatre, a 17-year-old cricket star who just can’t get enough of the game. At the Mumbai Cricket Association awards on March 20, he was already thinking about his T20 match the next day. His dad, Yogesh, shared that Ayush travels four hours by car to play cricket in Panvel, and after a late-night semi-final, he got home at 4 am.

Despite the long journeys, Ayush is dedicated to his passion for cricket. “He’s always ready for a match. After the tournament, he went straight into a three-day match for Bharat Petroleum,” said his coach Sachin Koli. Coming from Virar, a far suburb of Mumbai, Ayush has had to spend a lot of time in local trains for practice and matches. The ride from Virar to Dadar takes about 90 minutes, but he doesn’t mind it. His dad said that even a short nap at home helps Ayush recharge. He usually falls asleep on the train, a habit he has had since he was little.

Ayush has shown his talent this year. He earned a spot in the Mumbai Cricket Association and made his first-class debut in the Irani Cup, followed by a half-century in the Ranji Trophy and a stunning 176 runs in his second Ranji game. His coach Prashant Shetty describes his progress as amazing, mentioning that Ayush has played in various important matches, such as the Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare, India Under-19 team, and even the IPL.

In a recent IPL match, Ayush impressed everyone by scoring 94 runs off just 48 balls for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Although CSK has had a tough season, Ayush has been one of the bright spots. CSK’s coach, Stephen Fleming, praised him for his skill and ability to perform under pressure. “He’s got talent and great hand-eye coordination. He plays modern T20 cricket well,” said Fleming.

Ayush’s ability to stay calm and play confidently has stood out. He knows how to focus and adapt his game as needed. When he made his IPL debut at Wankhede Stadium, his family and friends were there to cheer him on. He scored 32 runs in just 15 balls, making it a special night for everyone. After the game, his family took a late-night train back to Virar.

Most families with young athletes move closer to the city, but the Mhatres are happy in their home with open spaces in Virar. With Ayush doing well in cricket, they’re ready for more journeys on the train to watch him play.