IPL 2025 has turned into a showcase for teenage talent, and after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s heroics the other day, another 17-year-old, Ayush Mhatre is now leading the charge.
He’s suddenly the talk of Chennai Super Kings and the entire league. Just months ago, nobody had even picked him at the auction. And CSK only brought him in as a replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad. But since then, Ayush has made it clear-he’s not just here to fill a spot, he’s here to make history.
His breakout moment came at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Chasing a daunting 214, Ayush walked in with the odds stacked against him and the crowd roaring for RCB.
What followed was pure magic. He smashed 94 runs from just 48 balls, showing a maturity and fearlessness that belied his age. His fifty came up in just 25 deliveries, and every shot sent shockwaves through the stadium and across social media.
He didn’t just play a good knock-he broke records. At 17 years and 291 days, Ayush became the youngest ever to score a half-century for CSK, smashing Suresh Raina’s franchise record by nearly four years. In the IPL’s all-time list, only Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Riyan Parag have reached a fifty at a younger age. And if you want a highlight reel moment, look no further than his assault on Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 26 runs in a single over, five boundaries and a six, making it one of the most expensive overs ever bowled by the veteran.
But it wasn’t just about the numbers. Ayush stood tall, partnering with Ravindra Jadeja for a 114-run stand that almost pulled off the impossible. The pressure was sky-high, but Ayush barely blinked. Every ball he faced, he looked like he belonged on the big stage. Fans in the stadium and online couldn’t get enough-memes, posts, and praise flooded in, with everyone agreeing that a new CSK star had arrived.
Yes, CSK lost the match by two runs and RCB celebrated their first-ever league double over the Chennai franchise. But the real story was Ayush Mhatre’s arrival. From unsold at the auction to scoring 163 runs in just four matches at a strike rate of 185, he’s become the new fan favourite overnight.
For Gen Z and every cricket lover, Ayush Mhatre is not just a flash in the pan. He’s the future of CSK-and the IPL. And if this is just the beginning, you can bet there’s a lot more to come.
