In a remarkable display of talent, 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre from Mumbai delivered a scintillating performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, leaving cricket fans and IPL franchises in awe. Playing against Nagaland in a group-stage match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on December 31, 2024, the young right-handed batsman smashed his maiden List-A century, scoring an extraordinary 181 runs off 117 balls.
The match began with Nagaland winning the toss and electing to field. Opening the innings for Mumbai, Ayush Mhatre and Angkrish Raghuvanshi provided a strong start, putting together a partnership of 156 runs for the first wicket. While Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dismissed for 56, Ayush Mhatre continued to dominate the Nagaland bowlers with a spectacular display of power hitting. His innings featured 15 boundaries and 11 sixes, and he batted at an impressive strike rate of over 154. Although he fell just 19 runs short of a double century, his effort propelled Mumbai to a mammoth total of 403 for 7 in 50 overs, the team’s second-highest score in List-A cricket history.
The Mumbai team’s success was further bolstered by captain Shardul Thakur, who contributed an unbeaten 73 runs, showcasing his consistency in the middle order. The collective batting performance left Nagaland’s bowling attack struggling to find answers.
Born in 2007, Ayush Mhatre has rapidly emerged as a promising talent in Indian cricket. He made his first-class debut for Mumbai during the 2024 Irani Cup, where he showcased his potential with a maiden Ranji Trophy century. In six first-class matches, Ayush Mhatre has scored 441 runs, and his List-A tally now stands at 309 runs in just four games.
Despite his stellar performances, Ayush Mhatre faced disappointment in the IPL 2025 auction. Although Chennai Super Kings invited him for trials before the event, no franchise bid for him during the auction, including Chennai Super Kings. With his spectacular century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, many IPL teams may now regret overlooking him as he firmly establishes himself as a player to watch.
This explosive knock marks a defining moment in Ayush Mhatre’s young career. At just 17 years old, he has demonstrated remarkable talent and determination, cementing his place as a rising star in Indian cricket. Fans and franchises alike will be keen to see what the future holds for this exceptional player.
