Seventeen Years Old and Stealing the Show
When Ayush Mhatre walked onto the field at Wankhede Stadium in April 2025, not many outside of cricket’s inner circles knew his name. By the end of the match, almost everyone watching IPL had an opinion on the 17-year-old. Thrust into the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad as a replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre wasn’t just filling a spot—he was set to make it his own. CSK took a calculated risk by signing Mhatre for ₹30 lakhs, banking on his aggressive attitude at the crease and his ability to play fearlessly regardless of pressure. He didn’t disappoint.
Coming in at number three during his debut against the Mumbai Indians, Mhatre looked anything but nervous. His knock of 32 runs in just 15 balls lit up the stadium and social media alike. He picked apart Ashwani Kumar’s bowling, smashing both a four and back-to-back sixes in a single over. In the very next, Deepak Chahar faced a similar fate. Mhatre’s bat spoke loudly—a teenager refusing to play within the limits usually set for IPL rookies.
Stats That Tell a Bigger Story
One good innings can be called beginner’s luck, but Ayush kept coming back for more. Across seven matches, he scored a robust 240 runs, striking at a jaw-dropping 188.97. That’s not a strike rate you expect from an IPL newcomer, let alone a school-going player. His 94 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru stood out—not just for the number of runs, but also for how he built the innings. He combined patience and aggression, choosing moments to go big and rotating the strike with maturity surprising for his age.
Late in the season, during a crucial match versus Gujarat Titans, Mhatre continued to play with refreshing confidence. His 34 off 17 balls wasn't a fluke cameo; it was a sign he could handle high-pressure situations. Each time he walked in, he swung momentum CSK’s way, often breaking established bowlers’ rhythm right from the start.
- Became the youngest ever to play for CSK in IPL history.
- Striking at nearly 189, he set a new bar for youngsters coming into the league.
- His fearless approach against both pace and spin unsettled more experienced opponents.
For CSK, Mhatre now represents more than just a short-term fix. He’s become a symbol of the franchise’s trust in emerging talent and proof that sometimes, experience takes a back seat to raw, unfiltered flair. The buzz around his performances is setting up 2026 to be even more interesting—fans and selectors alike will be watching closely to see how this teenage sensation evolves. Suddenly, everyone wants to know: how far can Ayush Mhatre go?