If age is just a number had been reduced to a meaningless cliche, IPL 2025 has injected life back into the saying with a plethora of young debutants, with Ayush Mhatre becoming the latest on Sunday. The 17-year-old replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad stunned the Wankhede in his first ever pro T20.
Chennai Super Kings’ powerplay woes in the ongoing season seemed slated to continue against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday as the side managed a paltry 16 runs in the first three overs against the swinging ball before Rachin Ravindra nicked off Ashwini Kumar’s first delivery in the game. While the departure was met with the quiet fanfare, some murmurs began to run amock as 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre walked out for his professional T20 debut, hoping to fill in the big shoes of Ruturaj Gaikwad. There were little expectations from the youngster, but even the little was blown to smithereens with the way the Mumbaikar impressed at his home venue.
Ayush nearly departed first ball to an Ashwini peach but when he returned to the strike a couple balls later, the tables quickly turned. Ayush began his onslaught with a beautiful drive down the ground to a fullish delivery before stamping his authority with an effortless flick off his pads for a six. However, he saved the best for last as Aswini went short but the teenager was more than ready for it as he rocked onto his back foot and pummelled the ball beyond the ropes.
Ayush added three more boundaries to race to 32 off 14 deliveries before finally holing out to Deepak Chahar, but his antics were enough to gain the congratulations and a pat on the head from domestic senior Suryakumar Yadav. Twitter, unsurprisingly, was gushing.
What a Shot!
Dream Debut!
It’s happening again today #ayushmhatre turning it on at Wankhede.
After yesterday’s fireworks by Vaibhav, we are now watching this young 17 year old mumbai kid smashing @mipaltan bowling in mumbai for @ChennaiIPL
Indian cricket is in a great space.@IPL @BCCI #MIvCSK #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Yh5cHuFs4L— Sanjay Lazar (@sjlazars) April 20, 2025
Hope today Ayush mhatre day 🔥 @ChennaiIPL @KrisSrikkanth
— Santhosh Kumar (@isanthoshks) April 20, 2025
Brilliant!
Brilliant batting by Ayush Mhatre 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#CSKvsMI
— unity in diversity (@charag_official) April 20, 2025
True!
A six inside the powerplay. I hope they don’t drop Ayush Mhatre for going against CSK policy.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 20, 2025
Sheik Rasheed last game.
Ayush Mhatre today.
Spark is there 😅— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) April 20, 2025
What a debut!
Power Hit!
Ayush Mhatre!!!
— JP speaks (@JP_SPEAKS_TRUTH) April 20, 2025
First 4 Ball Of Ayush Mhatre In IPL On His Debut 💛
1 , 4 , 6 , 6 Star Was Born 💛#CSKvsMI#MIvCSK#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/iOycYwgoZP— अघोरी 👹 (@anghori_29) April 20, 2025
On fire!
