Ayush Mhatre is one of the most exciting young cricketers to emerge from India in recent years. He is a right-handed opening batter and right-arm off-break bowler who plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League. He is also the captain of the India Under-19 team — the side he led to India’s record-extending sixth U19 World Cup title in 2026.
At just 18 years old, Ayush Mhatre has already done things that senior cricketers take years to achieve. He is the youngest player ever to score 150+ runs in men’s List A cricket. He became CSK’s youngest player of all time when he made his IPL debut at 17. He scored a breathtaking 94 off 48 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025, narrowly missing a century. He hits the ball with the kind of power and freedom that makes experienced fans sit up and take notice.
But what makes his story truly special is where he came from. He is from Nallasopara, near Virar — a small town on the far outskirts of Mumbai. He used to wake up before 4 AM and travel nearly 45–60 kilometers by train every single day just to reach the nets. His father gave up his banking job to support his son’s cricket. His maternal grandfather used to take him to practice when his parents were busy working.
This is the story of Ayush Mhatre — a boy from a Mumbai suburb who refused to let distance, money, or age stand in the way of his dream.
Ayush Mhatre Quick Facts
- Full Name: Ayush Yogesh Mhatre
- Nickname: No well-known nickname yet. Fans and commentators often just call him “Ayush” or the “Virar Express.”
- Ayush Mhatre Age: 18 years old as of April 10, 2026. He will turn 19 on July 16, 2026.
- Date of Birth: July 16, 2007
- Ayush Mhatre Birth Place: Nallasopara, Virar area, Mumbai Suburban District, Maharashtra, India. He is from a Marathi-speaking family.
- Hometown: Nallasopara / Virar, Maharashtra.
- Ayush Mhatre Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm / 1.75 m)
- Weight: Approximately 68–70 kg. Athletic, fit build.
- Role: Right-handed opening batter and right-arm off-break bowler. He is used primarily as a top-order aggressive batter in T20 and List A cricket.
- Batting style: Right-handed batsman.
- Bowling style: Right-arm off-break.
- Ayush Mhatre Jersey Number: He wears jersey number 56 for India U-19 and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025 and 2026 seasons.
- Ayush Mhatre Caste: He comes from a Marathi Hindu family. He follows Hinduism. He is from the Marathi community (Maharashtrian background). His religion is Hinduism.
- Father’s name: Yogesh Mhatre — former banker who resigned from his job to support Ayush’s cricket.
- Mother’s name: Jagruti Mhatre — works at Stride Industries LLP.
- Maternal Grandfather: Laxmikant Anand Naik — played a key role in taking Ayush to training when parents were at work.
- Siblings: He has one brother who supports his cricket journey.
- Education: St. Joseph’s School (Virar) → Don Bosco High School (Matunga, Mumbai) → Rizvi Springfield School → IES VN Sule Guruji. He later prioritised homeschooling to manage training and cricket commitments.
- Coaches: Dinesh Lad (famous Mumbai cricket coach), Prashant Shetty (corrected his technique), and early training at the Dilip Vengsarkar Cricket Academy.
- Academy: Dilip Vengsarkar Cricket Academy (near Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate, Mumbai).
- Favourite cricketer: Rohit Sharma. Ayush has spoken publicly about how Rohit has been his idol since childhood and how meeting him during IPL 2025 was a special moment.
- Domestic team: Mumbai.
- First-class debut: October 2024 — 2024–25 Irani Cup for Mumbai.
- IPL debut: April 20, 2025 — Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. He scored 32 off 15 balls in his debut.
- Ayush Mhatre Current Teams:
- India Under-19 (captain)
- Mumbai (domestic cricket — Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, SMAT)
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (IPL 2025 and 2026)
- Ayush Mhatre IPL 2025 Price: ₹30 lakh (signed as a mid-season replacement, not in the main auction).
- Ayush Mhatre IPL 2026 Price: ₹30 lakh (retained by CSK for IPL 2026).
- Marital status: Single. He is 18 years old and fully focused on cricket. No confirmed relationship.
- Major achievements: Youngest to score 150+ in men’s List A cricket (181 vs Nagaland, Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25). Captain of India U19 to 2026 U19 World Cup title. CSK’s youngest debutant ever player.
- Favourite shot: Cover drive and pull shot through midwicket.
- Role model quote (Rohit Sharma): “Rohit Sharma is my favourite cricketer. I have been watching his batting since childhood. He spoke to me very nicely after the game in the IPL. He praised my batting, gave me a few tips on playing the short ball, and urged me to continue playing the way I have been. He even said that I could call him anytime without hesitation, and that really helped calm my nerves.” — Ayush Mhatre
Who Is Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush Mhatre is a teenage batting sensation from Mumbai who has taken Indian cricket by storm. He is CSK’s youngest player of all time, who “smacked 32 in only 15 balls” on his IPL debut. Inside Sport’s profile calls him “a prodigious cricketing talent from Mumbai, often compared to the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Yashasvi Jaiswal for his fearless batting and Mumbai roots.”
He is the kind of batter who does not wait to settle in. He attacks from ball one. He is not afraid of big venues, big bowlers, or big chases. His IPL debut — also his very first T20 match of any kind — was against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in front of a packed crowd. He walked in at number 3, hit two sixes and four boundaries in 15 balls, and scored 32 runs. No nerves. No hesitation. Pure cricket.
MS Dhoni, the most experienced person in Indian cricket, watched those 15 balls and said: “I feel right from the start he just wanted to play his shots.” From Dhoni, that is the highest possible praise for a young batter.
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Ayush Mhatre Height and Weight

- Ayush Mhatre Height: 5 feet 9 inches (5 ft 9 in)
- Height in cm: 175 cm
- Height in meters: 1.75 meters
- Weight: Approximately 68–70 kg
- Weight in pounds: Around 150–154 lbs
He has an athletic, lean build that is typical of aggressive Mumbai top-order batters. His build helps him generate power through bat speed and hip rotation rather than sheer size. This is why, despite not being the tallest batter, he hits the ball with impressive distance and power.
Ayush Mhatre’s Parents
Father: Yogesh Mhatre
Yogesh Mhatre is one of the most dedicated cricket fathers in India — and his story deserves to be told in full.
Yogesh worked as a banker. Banking is a stable, respectable profession in India — it provides a good salary and job security. But when he saw how serious Ayush was about cricket, and how much talent his son had, he made a decision that most people would never make: he resigned from his job. He left his banking career so that he could focus entirely on supporting Ayush’s training.
He began taking Ayush to practice every day. He managed the logistics of long train journeys from Virar to Mumbai. He made sure Ayush had the right equipment, the right diet, and the right training environment. This was not a small sacrifice — giving up your career for your child’s dream requires enormous faith and courage.
Yogesh has been present at almost every important moment in Ayush’s cricket career. His sacrifice is one of the most powerful parts of Ayush’s story.
Mother: Jagruti Mhatre
Jagruti Mhatre works at Stride Industries LLP. She has balanced her professional career with being a constant emotional and logistical support for Ayush. She took care of the home and made sure the family ran smoothly while Yogesh focused on Ayush’s cricket.
During tough tournaments and pressure situations, Jagruti showed her love in the most practical way — she prepared homemade food for Ayush to keep him strong and comfortable during long match days. Ayush has spoken about how his mother’s care kept him grounded even during the toughest moments.
Maternal Grandfather: Laxmikant Anand Naik
Laxmikant Naik is Ayush’s maternal grandfather, and he plays a very special role in the story. When Yogesh and Jagruti were at work, it was Laxmikant who stepped in and took young Ayush to the cricket ground for training. He made sure that Ayush never missed a practice session, even when his parents could not be there.
This kind of support — where the entire extended family rallies around one child’s dream — is very common in Mumbai cricket stories. It is what makes the city produce so many great cricketers. Everyone pitches in.
Brother
Ayush has one brother. His brother also supports Ayush’s cricket journey. Details about his brother have not been made public as the family keeps personal matters private.
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Ayush Mhatre Caste and Religion
Ayush Mhatre comes from a Marathi Hindu family from Nallasopara, Maharashtra. He follows Hinduism and his family observes traditional Hindu customs and values. He is from the Marathi-speaking community of Maharashtra — a proud and cricket-loving community that has produced many great Mumbai cricketers over the decades.
His caste background is not something he has publicly spoken about, and it is not a defining part of his identity. What defines Ayush Mhatre is his cricket talent and work ethic — not his caste. He is simply a Maharashtrian boy from a middle-class Mumbai family who loves cricket more than anything else.
Personal Life
Ayush Mhatre is single and unmarried as of April 2026. He is 18 years old and has said in multiple interviews that his entire focus is on cricket. He has not spoken publicly about any girlfriend or relationship.
Favourite cricketer:
Rohit Sharma. He has been a Rohit fan since childhood. Meeting Rohit during IPL 2025 was a dream come true for him. After their match, Rohit praised his batting, gave him tips on playing the short ball, and even gave Ayush his personal phone number — telling the teenager to call anytime. Ayush has spoken about how this gesture from Rohit “really helped calm my nerves.”
Off-field interests: He is focused on cricket above everything. Very little is publicly known about his hobbies or interests outside cricket. He has switched schools multiple times to manage the balance between studies and cricket, and eventually chose homeschooling to give himself maximum flexibility for training and matches.
Social media: He shares moments from cricket on social media and has a growing fanbase, but he is not a heavy social media user compared to some other young cricketers.
Equipment: He signed a bat sponsorship deal with SG (Sanspareils Greenlands) — one of India’s biggest cricket equipment brands — during his junior cricket days. This was a sign of how seriously the industry viewed his potential even before his IPL debut.
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Early Life and The 80-Kilometre Train Journey
This is the heart of Ayush Mhatre’s story — and it is the part that stays with you long after you finish reading about him.
Ayush was born on July 16, 2007, in Nallasopara, near Virar — a town on the far western outskirts of Mumbai. Virar is about 45–50 kilometres from the center of Mumbai. By train, it takes around an hour or more to reach the Churchgate area, where Wankhede Stadium and Mumbai’s best cricket academies are located.
Ayush started playing cricket at age 6. He played in the narrow lanes near his home, batting with whatever bat he could find, and fell in love with the game immediately.
By age 15, he had decided that cricket was not just a hobby — it was going to be his life. And from that moment, everything changed. Every single day, he would wake up before 4:15 AM to start his day. He would travel nearly 80 kilometres by train from Virar to Churchgate just to attend practice sessions at the Dilip Vengsarkar Cricket Academy, near the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
45–60 kilometres. One way. By train. Every day.
That is not a commute. That is a commitment. That is love for the game made physical.
He trained under coach Dinesh Lad — one of the most respected cricket coaches in Mumbai, known for developing players like Prithvi Shaw. He also worked with Prashant Shetty, who made important corrections to his batting technique that helped him get selected for Mumbai’s teams.
These long journeys, early mornings, and years of grinding in the nets eventually paid off in ways that nobody could have fully predicted.
Education
Ayush switched schools multiple times as he tried to balance his rapidly growing cricket career with his studies:
- St. Joseph’s School, Virar — early schooling in his hometown
- Don Bosco High School, Matunga, Mumbai — a school famous for producing cricketers (the same school as Shreyas Iyer’s alma mater), shifted here for better cricket opportunities
- Rizvi Springfield School — another change for logistics
- IES VN Sule Guruji — continued education
Eventually, the demands of domestic cricket, IPL travel, and U19 cricket tours made a regular school schedule impossible. He chose homeschooling — which gives him the flexibility to train, travel, and play while still completing his education at his own pace.
This is a common decision for young cricketers at the top of the domestic system in India. The BCCI and schools have increasingly worked together to make this possible.
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Sports Career of Ayush Mhatre — Domestic Cricket
The Journey Through Mumbai Cricket
Before any IPL or India recognition, Ayush Mhatre proved himself in the most competitive and demanding cricket system in India — Mumbai domestic cricket. Mumbai has produced more Indian Test cricketers than any other state. Getting noticed in Mumbai cricket means you are genuinely special.
Ayush rose through the Mumbai cricket ranks consistently. In Under-14 and Under-16 tournaments, he was regularly among the top run-scorers. His composure, technique, and power made him stand out from other talented young batters.
First-Class Debut — Irani Cup 2024
Ayush made his first-class debut at the age of 17 for Mumbai in the 2024–25 Irani Cup against the Rest of India. He showed poise and skill even on debut, and within weeks was delivering big performances at the top level.
The Unforgettable 176 — Ranji Trophy 2024–25
A few weeks after his Irani Cup debut, Ayush scored his maiden first-class century in the Ranji Trophy against Maharashtra. He made 176 runs in that innings — a stunning score for a 17-year-old on their first Ranji century. The Maharashtra team was captained by none other than Ruturaj Gaikwad — the same Ruturaj whose injury would later open the CSK door for Ayush. Life works in interesting ways sometimes.
This innings brought him to the attention of national selectors and IPL scouts across India. A 17-year-old scoring 176 in the Ranji Trophy is not normal. It is exceptional.
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The Record — 181 Off 117 Balls vs Nagaland (Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25)
This is Ayush Mhatre’s most famous domestic performance — and one of the most celebrated innings by any teenage cricketer in Indian cricket history.
On December 31, 2024, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (India’s premier domestic one-day tournament), Ayush Mhatre walked out to bat for Mumbai against Nagaland. What followed was breathtaking.
He scored 181 runs off 117 balls. That includes 15 fours and 11 sixes. His strike rate was above 154. He combined calculated aggression with intelligent shot selection — not blind hitting, but proper cricket.
That score made him the youngest player ever to score 150+ runs in men’s List A cricket, surpassing the previous record held by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Breaking a record held by Jaiswal — one of India’s finest young batters — is an extraordinary achievement in itself.
This innings was the one that put his name on every IPL franchise’s radar. Chennai Super Kings, in particular, were watching closely.
Ayush Mhatre 9 Sixes Century
While the 181 had 11 sixes, there was also another unforgettable innings in the same period — his century with 9 sixes against Nagaland in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This innings showed his power-hitting was not a fluke. The phrase “Ayush Mhatre 9 sixes century” became one of the most searched cricket terms in India in early 2025, as fans could not believe what this teenager was doing. His ability to clear the boundary with such ease and such frequency at 17 is what made people compare him to the greatest young Indian batters.
Ayush Mhatre CSK — Chennai Super Kings Story
Going Unsold at the IPL 2025 Auction
Here is a fact that surprises many people: Ayush Mhatre was unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction in December 2024. Despite all his performances, no team bought him in the auction.
This happened because the auction coincided with the ACC U19 Asia Cup in December 2024, where Ayush was playing. He was not at the auction, and without a big agent or major promotional push, his name passed without a bid.
He has spoken about this moment: “The auction happened side by side when the ACC U19 Asia Cup was going on in December 2024. I was unsold. It was tough. But I told myself to keep performing.”
The Call from CSK
Fate had other plans. During IPL 2025, Ruturaj Gaikwad — CSK’s captain and their key opening batter — suffered an injury and was ruled out for the entire season. CSK needed a replacement batter. They turned to their trial system, and Ayush Mhatre was one of the players they invited.
At the CSK trial session, he faced their coaches and impressed MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming with his skills and his composure. Fleming later said: “We’ve had a few players through at our trainings and he was a player that stood out. From a skillset point of view, he was very impressive and a very composed young man, which is often just as important. Both MS and I were very impressed with the way he held himself together for the trial.”
CSK signed him for ₹30 lakh as Ruturaj’s replacement. That phone call — from unsold in December to Chennai Super Kings in April — is one of the great underdog stories in recent IPL history.
Ayush Mhatre IPL Debut — April 20, 2025
The debut came on April 20, 2025, in the most thrilling venue possible: Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai — his home city — in the iconic CSK vs MI clash.
MS Dhoni confirmed the selection after the toss. Ayush was just 17 years and 278 days old — making him the seventh youngest player ever to play an IPL match, and most importantly, CSK’s youngest ever player in their entire history.
His IPL debut was also his very first T20 match of any kind. He had never played a T20 game even for Mumbai before this. Going straight from List A and first-class cricket to IPL, in Mumbai, against Mumbai Indians, as a teenager — that is an extraordinary pressure situation.
He walked in at number 3. On the second ball he faced, he hit a boundary. On the fourth ball, he hit a six. In 15 balls, he scored 32 runs with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Cheteshwar Pujara, watching from the commentary box, said: “To do that — we say they are fearless but it’s not easy to be fearless when you’re playing your first-ever T20 game, that too at the highest level.”
CSK legend MS Dhoni, the most calm and experienced cricket man alive, was clearly impressed. That evening, Dhoni told the young batter: “Now that you are selected, just play your game, go for your shots, but not try to hit every ball, and continue doing what you have been doing for the last two to three years.”
The 94 Against RCB — IPL 2025’s Most Thrilling Young Innings
The most stunning performance of Ayush’s IPL 2025 campaign came on May 3, 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. CSK were chasing a daunting total of 214 runs.
Ayush came in and played an absolutely sensational knock. He scored 94 runs off just 48 balls — a strike rate of about 195. He missed his first ever IPL century by just 6 runs. The whole of India was watching and wishing he would get those 6 more runs.
That 94 — on a big chase, against a quality RCB attack, with pressure on every ball — announced Ayush Mhatre as a genuine match-winner, not just a talented youngster.
Ayush Mhatre CSK Stats (IPL 2025)
In IPL 2025, Ayush scored 240 runs in 7 matches with:
- A top score of 94 (vs RCB)
- Average: 34.28
- Strike rate: 188.97
- 1 fifty-plus score
This was one of the best debut IPL seasons by any teenager in the tournament’s history.
Ayush Mhatre IPL Career
IPL Debut: April 20, 2025 — Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, Wankhede Stadium.
Current IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Total IPL Matches (as of April 2026): 10 matches Total IPL Runs: 314 runs IPL Average: 31.40 IPL Strike Rate: 180+ IPL Highest Score: 94 (vs RCB, IPL 2025) IPL Fifties: 2 Fours: 37 Sixes: 16 Best bowling: Did not bowl in IPL 2025
Ayush Mhatre IPL 2025 Price
₹30 lakh — signed as a mid-season replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He was unsold at the main IPL 2025 mega auction and was picked up directly by CSK for the replacement price.
Ayush Mhatre IPL 2026 Price
₹30 lakh — retained by CSK for the IPL 2026 season. The same price, but the trust is enormous. CSK saw his performances in 2025, saw his U19 World Cup captaincy in 2026, and immediately kept him.
The CSK Youngster Advised by Dhoni
One of the most-discussed stories about Ayush Mhatre is the advice he received from MS Dhoni during his time at CSK. This is what the “CSK youngster Ayush Mhatre advised” story refers to.
Before his first IPL game, when Ayush was nervous about playing in such a big match, Dhoni gave him a piece of advice that the youngster has recalled multiple times: “Now that I was selected, I should just play my game, go for my shots, but not try to hit every ball, and continue doing what I had been doing for the last two to three years.”
In a few words, Dhoni told him: trust yourself. Don’t overthink. You are here because you are good enough. Just play.
For a 17-year-old making his debut in one of the world’s biggest cricket leagues, having the greatest captain in IPL history tell you to back yourself — that is something you never forget. Ayush went out and scored 32 off 15 balls. The advice worked.
Ayush Mhatre Denies U23 Spot
One of the highly-searched stories about Ayush Mhatre is: “Ayush Mhatre denies U23 spot.”
This refers to his decision — or the circumstances — that led him to not take up a position in the Mumbai Under-23 team during a certain period. Because he was simultaneously managing his senior domestic debut (Ranji Trophy for Mumbai’s senior side), his CSK IPL commitments, and his India Under-19 captaincy, the scheduling often meant he could not participate in every age-group format.
In Mumbai cricket, if you are already playing for the senior Ranji team at 17 and then also playing IPL, the Under-23 (Cooch Behar Trophy or CK Nayudu Trophy level) becomes a step backward in terms of competition level. This was a practical decision made by Mumbai’s cricket managers to protect their most talented player and ensure he was playing at the appropriate level of cricket for his rapid development.
India Under-19 Career and the 2026 U19 World Cup
U19 Journey
Ayush represented India in the 2024 U19 Asia Cup as a squad member. He impressed enough that he was appointed captain of the India U19 team from July 2025 onwards.
As Captain
Under Ayush’s captaincy, the India U19 team achieved several major victories:
- England Youth ODI series: India won 3–2
- Australia Youth ODI series: India won 3–0
- Australia Youth Test series: India won 2–0
These were strong performances on overseas tours — a particularly good sign for a leader who is developing his tactical skills at the same time.
2026 U19 World Cup — Captain of Champions
The biggest moment of Ayush’s leadership career came at the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. He captained India to their record-extending sixth U19 World Cup title — the most by any country in the history of the tournament.
He scored 214 runs across 7 matches in the tournament, including crucial half-centuries in:
- The semi-final against Afghanistan (India chased down Afghanistan’s 310)
- The final against England
After India’s semi-final victory, when asked about the chase of 310, Ayush said simply: “A simple approach and playing on merit helped his side chase down Afghanistan’s 310.” That calm, clear-headed answer — not boasting, not over-explaining — showed exactly why this teenager is already being groomed as a future India leader.
Ayush Mhatre Stats (Complete as of April 2026)
Domestic Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-class | 13 | ~20 | 660 | 176 | 30.00 | — | 2 | 1 |
| List A | 7 | 7 | 458 | 181 | 65.42 | 135.50 | 2 | 1 |
| IPL | 10 | 10 | 314 | 94 | 31.40 | 180+ | 0 | 2 |
Key Ayush Mhatre Stats Highlights
- Youngest player ever to score 150+ in men’s List A cricket — 181 off 117 balls (15 fours, 11 sixes) vs Nagaland, Vijay Hazare Trophy, December 31, 2024
- CSK’s youngest ever player — IPL debut at 17 years and 278 days
- 7th youngest IPL player ever
- IPL best score: 94 off 48 balls (vs RCB, IPL 2025)
- IPL strike rate: 180+ in debut season
- First-class best score: 176 vs Maharashtra (Ranji Trophy 2024–25)
- U19 World Cup 2026: 214 runs in 7 matches as captain
Major Records and Achievements
Youngest to score 150+ in men’s List A cricket: 181 vs Nagaland (VHT 2024–25). This broke the record previously held by Yashasvi Jaiswal — one of India’s greatest young batters. Breaking Jaiswal’s record at 17 is an achievement that will always be on Ayush’s Wikipedia page.
CSK’s youngest ever player: When he debuted at age 17 years and 278 days on April 20, 2025, he became the youngest player in Chennai Super Kings’ entire history — a franchise that has had greats like MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, and Suresh Raina.
Captain of India’s U19 World Cup-winning team (2026): Leading India to their record sixth title is an achievement that very few men in Indian cricket can claim.
First T20 match was an IPL match: He had never played a T20 game before his IPL debut — not even for Mumbai. Going directly from first-class and List A cricket to the IPL as a 17-year-old, and scoring 32 off 15 balls, is extraordinary.
What Dhoni, Fleming, Rohit, and Others Said About Him
MS Dhoni
“I feel right from the start he just wanted to play his shots.” — MS Dhoni on Ayush Mhatre’s IPL debut.
Stephen Fleming (CSK Head Coach)
“He was a player that stood out. From a skillset point of view, he was very impressive and a very composed young man. Both MS and I were very impressed with the way he held himself together for the trial.”
Cheteshwar Pujara
“It’s not easy to be fearless when you’re playing your first-ever T20 game, that too at the highest level. If you are not well-prepared and you are nervous, you don’t get that confidence.”
Rohit Sharma (Ayush’s favourite cricketer)

Rohit praised his batting after their IPL match, gave him tips on playing the short ball, and told him: “You can call me anytime without hesitation.” — This gesture from India’s batting icon meant the world to the young Mhatre.
Aaron Finch (former Australian captain, IPL commentator)
“These kids now say, ‘you know what will get me another game — hitting three or four sixes’. Then you become an Impact Player. And you can put it on reels and it can go viral. That’s what the new generation is all about.”
Ayush Mhatre Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth: ₹50 lakh – ₹1 crore (approximately USD 60,000 – 120,000) as of April 2026.
His career is in its very early stages, but his earning potential is enormous.
Income Sources
IPL Salary: ₹30 lakh per season (Chennai Super Kings, 2025 and 2026). This is his biggest current income.
Mumbai domestic cricket fees: BCCI domestic pay scales — he earns match fees for Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and SMAT matches.
BCCI youth contracts and U19 fees: India U19 players earn match fees (approximately ₹20,000 per match), plus travel and accommodation are covered. As U19 captain, he has additional responsibilities and recognition from BCCI.
SG bat sponsorship: He has a bat equipment deal with SG (Sanspareils Greenlands) — one of India’s biggest cricket equipment brands. The value of this deal is not publicly known but it is a significant recognition for a young player.
Growing endorsement potential: After his U19 World Cup win and his IPL 2025 performances, Ayush’s brand value is growing fast. Brands targeting young Indian sports fans will be watching him closely.
Future Net Worth Potential
If Ayush continues his current trajectory — and there is every reason to believe he will — his net worth could cross ₹10 crore within 2–3 years. A full IPL auction price for an established young Indian batter is typically ₹5–15 crore. His story is only just beginning.
Latest News About Ayush Mhatre
The biggest recent news around Ayush Mhatre is his India U19 World Cup captaincy triumph in 2026 — leading India to their sixth title in January-February 2026.
In April 2026, he spoke publicly on JioStar’s ‘TATA IPL: Dream On’ programme about his IPL journey, his selection as a CSK replacement, his meeting with Dhoni, and his special bond with Rohit Sharma. He gave cricket fans a rare glimpse into his personal journey and the emotions behind his debut season.
He is currently playing for CSK in IPL 2026, retained at ₹30 lakh. Early in IPL 2026, he is building on his debut season form.
He was also named in the squad for the South Africa A Tour of India 2025–26 — his first call-up to a senior India A side. This is the next stepping stone before a full India debut.
Ayush Mhatre FAQs
Who is Ayush Mhatre?
Ayush Mhatre is a 18-year-old Indian cricketer from Virar (Mumbai), Maharashtra. He plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He is the captain of India’s Under-19 team.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s age?
He is 18 years old as of April 2026. Born on July 16, 2007.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s birth place?
Nallasopara, near Virar, Mumbai Suburban area, Maharashtra, India.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s height?
5 feet 9 inches (175 cm).
What is Ayush Mhatre’s jersey number?
He wears jersey number 56 for Chennai Super Kings.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s caste and religion?
He is from a Marathi Hindu family. He follows Hinduism and is from Maharashtra’s Marathi-speaking community.
What is the Ayush Mhatre 9 sixes century story?
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25, Ayush scored a blazing century against Nagaland with multiple big sixes, part of his record-breaking 181 off 117 balls (11 sixes in that innings). His ability to hit 9+ sixes in a single innings at age 17 shocked Indian cricket fans. The record-breaking knock made him the youngest player ever to score 150+ in men’s List A cricket.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s IPL team?
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — for both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026.
What was Ayush Mhatre’s IPL 2025 price? ₹30 lakh — signed as a mid-season replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He was unsold at the main IPL 2025 auction.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s IPL 2026 price?
₹30 lakh — retained by CSK for IPL 2026.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s highest IPL score?
94 off 48 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 — he missed a century by just 6 runs.
Who is Ayush Mhatre’s favourite cricketer?
Rohit Sharma. He has been a huge Rohit fan since childhood. Meeting Rohit and receiving tips and encouragement from him during IPL 2025 was a defining moment for Ayush.
Did Ayush Mhatre captain the U19 World Cup winning team?
Yes. He captained India to the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup title in Zimbabwe and Namibia — India’s record sixth U19 World Cup win. He scored 214 runs in 7 matches in the tournament.
Who are Ayush Mhatre’s parents?
Father: Yogesh Mhatre (former banker who resigned to support Ayush’s cricket). Mother: Jagruti Mhatre (works at Stride Industries LLP). Maternal grandfather Laxmikant Anand Naik also played a key support role.
What is the “Ayush Mhatre denies U23 spot” story?
Because Ayush was already playing senior Ranji Trophy cricket for Mumbai and had IPL and U19 India commitments, playing for Mumbai’s Under-23 team was not feasible schedule-wise. This was a practical management decision — not a controversy. When you are a 17-year-old opening for Mumbai seniors in the Ranji Trophy, the Under-23 circuit is a step below your current level.
What is Ayush Mhatre’s net worth?
Approximately ₹50 lakh – ₹1 crore as of April 2026. His net worth will grow rapidly as his career develops.
What did MS Dhoni say about Ayush Mhatre?
Dhoni said “I feel right from the start he just wanted to play his shots.” Before his debut, Dhoni advised him: “Just play your game, go for your shots, but not try to hit every ball, and continue doing what you have been doing.”
What is Ayush Mhatre’s current teams list?
India Under-19 (captain), Mumbai (domestic cricket), Chennai Super Kings (IPL).
Conclusion
Ayush Mhatre’s story is one of the most inspiring in modern Indian cricket. A boy from Nallasopara, Virar — a small town on the farthest edge of Mumbai — who woke up before 4 AM every morning, squeezed into a crowded local train, and traveled 80 kilometres each way just to practice batting in Mumbai.
His father left his banking job. His mother cooked special food to keep him strong during matches. His grandfather took him to the ground when his parents were working. His entire family bet everything on one simple belief: that Ayush was special, and that one day the whole of India would know it.
That day came on April 20, 2025, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, when a 17-year-old walked to the crease in an IPL match — the biggest cricket league in the world — and hit two sixes in his first 15 balls. MS Dhoni smiled. Stephen Fleming was impressed. Cheteshwar Pujara marvelled at his fearlessness. And Rohit Sharma — Ayush’s childhood hero — later gave him his phone number.
Then came the 94 against RCB. Then the U19 World Cup captaincy. Then the sixth title for India.
Ayush Mhatre is 18 years old. His best cricket is still in front of him. And if the first 18 years of his life are any guide, the best is going to be something to see.
