Alright, cricket fam, say hello to the new Gen-Z sensation: Ayush Mhatre, the 17-year-old Mumbai prodigy who’s been signed by CSK as the replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad.
But first, here’s a fun fact to make you feel ancient. Ayush was just a few months old when MS Dhoni lifted the T20 World Cup in 2007. Now, he’s about to share a dressing room with the legend. Ayush is that young, and we are that old!
So, why is everyone losing their minds over this signing? Let’s spill the tea. Hailing from Virar, on the outskirts of Mumbai, this guy used to travel nearly 80 kilometres—one way—just to get to practice. That’s some dedication.
Now, let’s talk numbers, because this kid’s stats are fire. He’s already smashed 458 runs in seven List A games, with a jaw-dropping high score of 181 against Nagaland—making him the youngest player ever to score 150+ in a men’s List A game. And if you think that’s wild, he’s also got a 148 against Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His strike rate in the format - just 135.5!! And, and, he has also taken 7 wickets with his off-breaks.
In first-class cricket, Ayush has scored 504 runs in 9 matches for Mumbai, including two centuries. Oh, and did I mention he’s already represented India in the U19 Asia Cup? He made 176 runs in five matches. So, this isn’t just hype—this is the real deal!
Ayush is also a self-confessed Rohit Sharma stan—he’s even got those signature Hitman strokes in his arsenal. Earlier this year, he got to share the Mumbai dressing room with his idol, and he was so starstruck he wrote Rohit a heartfelt note. Now, he’s about to share the field with Dhoni. From idolising legends to playing alongside them — Ayush is living every young cricketer’s dream.
So, CSK fans, get ready to witness the rise of a new Super King. Ayush Mhatre isn’t just a replacement—he’s the future. Mumbai’s young blood, with nerves of steel - the future looks bright for this rising talent!
