Chennai Super Kings’ 17-year-old batter Ayush Mhatre made a remarkable entrance into the T20 scene during their IPL 2025 clash against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. Mhatre, on debut, struck 32 runs off just 15 balls, showcasing fearless strokeplay and composure beyond his age.
A Dream Start: 17 off His First Four Balls
Walking in at No. 3, Mhatre wasted no time making an impact. He smashed two sixes and a four within his first four balls. His boundary-laced innings included bold strokes off seasoned bowlers like Ashwani Kumar and Deepak Chahar, before being dismissed after an explosive cameo.
Backing from Dhoni and Fleming
Head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that Mhatre caught everyone’s attention during trials, especially impressing MS Dhoni.
“He was a composed young man with solid skills,” Fleming noted, adding that CSK needed someone to step in amid injury concerns.
Dhoni also lauded the youngster’s intent and shot selection:
“He played his shots and stuck to his strengths. That’s what we need at the top.”
Cheteshwar Pujara: “Not Easy to Be Fearless”
Pujara praised Mhatre for displaying such confidence on debut:
“To be fearless in your first-ever T20 game at this level takes great preparation and belief,” he said.
Mhatre, who debuted across all formats for Mumbai this season, already has a first-class and List A century to his name, including a record-breaking 181 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Experts See a Star in the Making
Former cricketer Aaron Finch called Mhatre’s knock a “statement innings,” pointing to his aggressive leg-side dominance and readiness to go big from ball one. Finch and Fleming agreed that this new generation of players doesn’t shy away from taking risks to make their presence felt.
Fleming concluded that while such performances are exciting, young players must also learn to balance flair with sustainability for long-term success.
With such a fearless debut, Ayush Mhatre has undoubtedly become a player to watch in IPL 2025.
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