Eighteen-year-old Ayush Mhatre made a strong impression on his India A debut against South Africa A in Bengaluru, scoring a lively 65 off 76 balls. Opening the innings, he played with confidence and flair, striking 10 boundaries in an entertaining knock.
Mhatre shines in partnership with Sudharsan
Mhatre shared a 90-run stand with Test batter Sai Sudharsan before being dismissed by off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen. It was only his 11th first-class match, but the young right-hander already has two centuries to his name and continues to earn praise from selectors.
Youngster drawing national attention
While his first-class average of 30.27 may not yet stand out, Mhatre’s fearless stroke play in domestic cricket and IPL 2025 has marked him as one to watch. Selectors reportedly see him as a potential future star despite limited experience at the top level.
India A fall short in chase
Chasing 309, India A were bowled out for 234, falling short of the target. Rishabh Pant, returning from a foot fracture, scored 17, while Sudharsan managed 32 off 94 balls. Apart from Mhatre, few batters offered resistance, leaving fans frustrated.
A sign of India’s next generation
Despite the defeat, Mhatre’s innings stood out as a glimpse of India’s emerging talent. With players like Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal also in the squad, the selectors appear confident that this new generation is ready to take Indian cricket forward.
