As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has set its sights on one of Mumbai cricket’s most promising young talents, Ayush Mhatre.
The 17-year-old opener has made significant waves in the cricketing world, impressing none other than former CSK captain MS Dhoni with his remarkable performances in recent First-Class matches.
Ayush Mhatre’s First-Class Career Highlights
Mhatre’s journey to prominence began with his First-Class debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup earlier this season. In just five matches, he amassed an impressive 321 runs, maintaining an average of 35.66. This includes a century and a fifty, showcasing his ability to anchor innings and perform under pressure.
One of his standout moments was a stunning innings of 176 against Maharashtra, where he demonstrated both composure and aggressive stroke play.
CSK’s Interest and Trials
CSK’s interest in Mhatre led to an invitation for trials at their High-Performance Centre in Navalur. This strategic move comes ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah. MS Dhoni, a central figure in CSK’s success, has reportedly taken a keen interest in Mhatre’s progress, further highlighting the young player’s potential.
CSK’s CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, formally requested permission from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for Mhatre to attend these trials. This development suggests that CSK is seriously considering Mhatre for their squad rebuild in the upcoming season.
The IPL 2025 Auction Outcome
Despite the initial interest and impressive trials, Ayush Mhatre went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. This unexpected turn of events has sparked criticism from fans, especially after his outstanding performances in the U-19 Asia Cup and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
In the U-19 Asia Cup, Mhatre played crucial knocks, including 67 runs off 51 balls against UAE U-19 and 54 off 29 balls against Japan U-19.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Mhatre broke Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record by becoming the youngest player to score 150+ in List A cricket. He achieved this feat at just 17 years and 191 days old, scoring 181 runs from 117 balls against Nagaland.
