India’s production line of young cricketing talent continues to impress, with 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre emerging as the latest teenage star in this year’s Indian Premier League.
Just days after 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines with a blistering 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals—becoming the youngest male centurion in T20 history—Mhatre has stepped into the spotlight for Chennai Super Kings. The young opener smashed 94 off 48 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday, narrowly missing out on a century but leaving a big impression.
Chennai lost the match by just two runs, but head coach Stephen Fleming was full of praise for the youngster. “He’s got talent, he’s got great hand-eye coordination, and a lovely, silky swing,” said Fleming. “What stands out most is his temperament—being able to perform under pressure on the big stage.”
Mhatre was brought into the side after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an elbow injury. Since then, the teenager has scored 163 runs in four innings at an impressive strike rate of 185.
Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, also spoke about the exciting rise of both Mhatre and Suryavanshi. “It’s extraordinary to see this kind of fearless cricket,” he said. “But it’s not just about playing shots—you need the skill and maturity to back it up. These two boys have shown both.”
Suryavanshi’s century, which drew praise from cricketing greats including Sachin Tendulkar, and Mhatre’s explosive performances suggest India’s next generation is arriving earlier than expected.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re 14, 18 or 21,” Fleming added. “The innings we’ve seen from these lads have been top-class. It’s daunting for bowlers—and I do worry for Under-19 sides that might face them in future tournaments.”
With performances like these, Suryavanshi and Mhatre are not just filling in—they’re taking centre stage. The future of Indian cricket may already be here, and it’s looking very bright indeed.