Ayush Mhatre Reflects on His Journey with CSK and Inspirations from Rohit Sharma
Ayush Mhatre's CSK Journey
New Delhi, April 11: Ayush Mhatre, the talented batsman for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and captain of India's U19 World Cup-winning team, shared insights about his selection for CSK last season and his admiration for Mumbai's cricket legend, Rohit Sharma.
During an appearance on JioStar's 'TATA IPL: Dream On', Mhatre discussed his experience with CSK, where he played 10 matches, amassing 314 runs at an average of 31.40, boasting a strike rate exceeding 180 and achieving two half-centuries.
Reflecting on his selection as a replacement for injured captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre recounted how the auction coincided with the ACC U19 Asia Cup in December 2024, where he initially went unsold. However, he chose to view this setback positively.
While training at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, he received a call from CSK, leading to a two-day training camp with the team.
"The Asia Cup was ongoing while the auction took place. It would have been fantastic to be selected, but I focused on my other significant goal, which was the Asia Cup. As fate would have it, I was at the NCA when CSK reached out to see me bat in the nets, resulting in a two-day camp with them. Shortly after returning to the NCA, I got another call to prepare and inform my family about the formalities," he explained.
Mhatre also reminisced about his first meeting with MS Dhoni, the iconic figure of CSK and Indian cricket, who encouraged him to express his natural game while tempering his aggressive instincts.
"They informed me I could play against LSG, but I faced issues with flight tickets, so I joined the team in Mumbai. The welcome was warm. During my first conversation with Mahi bhai, he advised me to play my game, go for my shots, but not to attempt to hit every ball, and to continue my approach from the past few years," he shared.
In his debut season with CSK, Mhatre scored 240 runs in seven innings, averaging 34.28 with a remarkable strike rate of 188.97, including a top score of 94 against RCB, marking his only fifty. His aggressive style and ability to hit sixes revitalized CSK's aging batting lineup.
He also spoke about his interaction with Rohit Sharma, who praised his batting skills, offered advice, and assured him that he could reach out anytime without hesitation.
"Rohit Sharma has been my favorite cricketer since childhood. After our IPL match, he spoke to me kindly, complimented my batting, shared tips on handling short balls, and encouraged me to keep playing my way. His offer to call him anytime was reassuring and helped ease my nerves," Mhatre noted.
"Every young cricketer dreams of representing India. Wearing the jersey during the Under-19 World Cup was a memorable moment. I didn’t feel pressured about upholding a legacy. My primary aim is to play for India, maintain my place in the team, and perform consistently. Whether in the Ranji Trophy or IPL, I want to excel without fixating on results; they will come naturally," he added.
Despite facing challenges with his batting leading up to the U19 World Cup, Mhatre found his form at the crucial moments, scoring half-centuries against Afghanistan and England in the semifinal and final, respectively. Across seven matches, he accumulated 214 runs at an average of 30.57 and a strike rate of 113.22, alongside taking seven wickets at an average of 12.42, including a three-wicket haul against Pakistan.