IPL 2025 | "Ayush got depressed when he found…": Ayush Mhatre`s coach, Shetty

Chennai Super Kings’ Mumbai teenager Ayush Mhatre, 17, impressed one and all with his impressive IPL debut, where he scored a 15-ball 32 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

However, not many know that the youngster, who scored a massive 504 runs in just nine first-class games last season, including two centuries, and has 458 runs under his belt from seven List A matches, was extremely dejected around this time last year.

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Chennai Super Kings batter Ayush Mhatre plays a pull shot against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Prashant Shetty, Mhatre’s coach at Kalpavriksha Academy in Bandra, told mid-day on Tuesday that his ward almost went into depression when he was not called to be a part of the India U-19 camp at the National Cricket Academy last April. “Ayush got depressed when he found his name missing from the list of 30 players selected for the India U-19 camp at NCA [National Cricket Academy in Bangalore] around April-May last year. He was very eager to play for India U-19, but had a few low scores and so didn’t make that list. He was upset. He felt that all his effort over the years – he used to travel from his home in Virar all the way to Bandra to train daily at my academy – was not bearing fruit. His confidence took a massive hit. I had to sit him down and convince him that more opportunities would come,” Shetty revealed.

After a few weeks of discussions and a lot of coaxing, the teenager was convinced that he must keep doing the hard yards. “At that time, he wasn’t hitting the ball well, so we started working on his back lift. He became very committed and wouldn’t miss a single practice session. And when he began to get his shots away again, he got his confidence back.

Mercurial journey

He had this hunger to do well and finally, when he got a fifty in his first match of the Thimmaiah Memorial KSCA Trophy last September, I knew that he’d start consistently scoring again. Ayush’s journey across the last one year has been nothing short of mercurial. After the Thimmaiah Trophy, he got a chance to play in the Irani Cup which was followed by the Ranji Trophy. He then played the Vijay Hazare Trophy after which he represented India at the U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai last December and now he’s at the IPL. I’m glad he grabbed his chances with both hands,” added Shetty. That U-19 disappointment made Mhatre mentally stronger. “I think he’s very strong mentally now and is never under pressure. Even after performing well, he never gets too excited. His temperament has improved and this has helped him perform well at different stages across the last few months. I guarantee you he will remain grounded in future too,” said Shetty. 

Interestingly, Mhatre, who made his first-class debut against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Rest of India in the Irani Cup game in Lucknow last October, replaced the same player in the IPL when the CSK skipper suffered an elbow injury.  

Happy to meet idol Rohit

Shetty admitted that even he didn’t expect such a dashing IPL debut from his ward. “I expected him to play well, but never thought he would play in such attacking fashion in his debut game at the IPL which is such a big stage. We spoke after that [Sunday] match. Ayush was delighted. However, he was happier that he got a chance to speak to his idol Rohit Sharma after the game,” concluded Shetty, who also groomed Prithvi Shaw, who led India to victory the 2018 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand and made his Test debut against West Indies, scoring 134 at Rajkot in 2018. Mhatre will be playing his second IPL game for CSK against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Friday, and Shetty has a message for him. “After early success, there may be failure but it’s important to know how to make a comeback after a setback. That determines whether or not you will be a successful cricketer for a longer period.”