Meet Ayush Mhatre: CSK’s Youngest Debutant Player At Just 17

In a big twist for the 2025 IPL season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have decided to trust fresh young talent by signing 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre as a replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad, CSK’s captain and star opener, has been ruled out after suffering an elbow injury.

With a crucial match against Mumbai Indians coming up, CSK made the bold move of picking Mhatre, leaving out big names like Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. Under the guidance of MS Dhoni, who’s back as skipper, this seems to be both a tactical and future-focused decision.

Who is Ayush Mhatre? The Young Star to Watch

Ayush Mhatre is a young cricketer from Virar, a suburb in Mumbai. Born in 2007, just before MS Dhoni lifted the T20 World Cup as India’s captain, Mhatre is now ready to play under that same legend in the biggest T20 league in the world.

Mhatre first caught attention during the 2024–25 Irani Cup, where he scored 504 runs in just 9 matches, including two centuries and an average of 31.50 in first-class cricket.

But it was during the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) where he truly made headlines. He scored 458 runs in just 7 innings, hitting two hundreds and averaging a brilliant 65.42. One of those innings 181 runs against Nagaland made him the youngest player to score over 150 runs in a List A match, breaking the record of another Mumbai prodigy.

More Than Just a Batter

While Ayush is mostly known for his solid batting, he can bowl too. He bowls off-spin and even took seven wickets in the VHT with a good economy rate of 4.51. His all-round ability makes him even more valuable for CSK’s setup.

Though he hasn’t played any T20 playoff matches yet, he did represent India U19 in the Asia Cup, scoring 55 runs in three innings. He’s also expected to make it to India’s squad for the 2025 U19 World Cup.

Hard Work Behind the Scenes

Ayush’s rise has not been easy. He comes from a modest background. Each day, he travels almost 80 km by train from Virar to Churchgate to practice at Mumbai’s famous cricket maidans. His dedication and tough work have earned him this opportunity.

What makes it even greater special? He has grown up idolizing Rohit Sharma, another Mumbaikar, and now people are already comparing their batting styles. 

A Big Moment for the Youngster and CSK

For CSK, this move shows they’re not just focused on the present but also investing in the future. With MS Dhoni guiding the team, Ayush Mhatre has a golden chance to grow and learn.

While the pressure will be high, especially against a strong side like Mumbai Indians, this could be the start of something special not just for Mhatre, but for Indian cricket.

Also Read: Grenke Chess Festival 2025 Update: Magnus Carlsen Remains Unbeaten