Singular focus: Mhatre ‘is not into social media’ and ‘only thinks about cricket’, says his childhood coach Prashant.
| Photo Credit: UPCA
There is a compelling contradiction to the latest teen prodigy from Mumbai — Ayush Mhatre. He has taken to the demands of modern-day cricket like a duck to water but eschews the influence of today’s obsessive use of social media.
“He is not into social media. He is not into it at all. All that he does in 24 hours is only practise and think about cricket,” Mhatre’s childhood coach Prashant Shetty told The Hindu a day after the 18-year-old smashed a second successive ton in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here.
Across his two centuries, against Vidarbha and Andhra, Mhatre hit 17 sixes and etched his name in the record books as the youngest to score a hundred in each of the three formats.
Though Mhatre shot into the limelight recently owing to his T20 exploits, his strong red-ball fundamentals have helped him succeed.
“When you are doing well in red-ball cricket, it speaks volumes of your temperament; your basics are good. I think he is suited for all three formats,” Prashant said.
Mhatre is also blessed with an ecosystem that accepts failure as a byproduct of his natural game. Making his T20 debut for five-time champion Chennai Super Kings, Mhatre cracked a 15-ball 32 to take the IPL by storm this year.
“I think there was a clear plan and a clear message given to him that you can play your game,” Prashant explained, crediting the franchise for giving the youngster freedom.
With great potential comes greater responsibility, and Mhatre has deservedly been named India’s captain for the under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai later this month.
“He is not someone who expresses a lot. But as a captain, he needs to express himself… He has become better after the stint with CSK. With Dhoni as your captain, you cannot ask for anyone better than him,” Prashant said.
Published – December 01, 2025 08:22 pm IST
