"Aage isi tarah…": Ayush Mahtre`s dad reveals pleasing words by MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings’s (CSK) young Mumbai opener Ayush Mhatre, 17, came agonisingly close to what would have been his maiden IPL century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday, where he was dismissed for 94, after which CSK went on to lose by two runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, Mhatre received some precious words of encouragement from his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after his 48-ball 94 (9×4, 5×6). 

“Ayush was happy with his innings, but wanted to win the game as they [CSK] were very close to beating RCB. But after the game, Ayush had an interaction with the legendary Dhoni, and was extremely thrilled,” Ayush’s father Yogesh told mid-day on Sunday.

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Ayush Mhatre’s dad Yogesh

Skipper’s calming words  

“Dhoni calmly said to Ayush, ‘Well played. Aage isi tarah achha karte rehna hai [in future you have to keep performing well just like this]. It may have been just a few words but, coming from Dhoni, who Ayush respects immensely, the words mean a lot. It felt that Dhoni was showing belief in Ayush’s ability by entrusting him with an important responsibility going forward,” added Yogesh.     

Ayush was dismissed off a slower delivery by pacer Lungi Ngidi and was caught at deep mid-wicket. Speaking about his son’s dismissal, Mhatre Sr said: “After the game, I congratulated Ayush for his fine knock of 94. We spoke quite a bit, but he did not sound disappointed about missing his century. I believe whatever happens, happens for the best, but Ayush was keen to see CSK win. He felt he hurried into playing the particular shot that caused his dismissal.”

That Bhuvi over

One of the highlights of Ayush’s innings was that he hammered RCB’s India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 26 runs in one over. Mhatre Sr admitted he never expected his son to achieve this against such a senior bowler. “Bhuvneshwar is a very experienced bowler and is known for his ability to move the ball sideways effectively and that too with immense control. So, I least expected Ayush to bat like that against him. But when he dispatched Bhuvneshwar’s first yorker in the cover region for four, I realised he was reading the deliveries perfectly. But I’m still surprised that he managed five fours and a six in a single over against a bowler of Bhuvneshwar’s stature,” said Yogesh.

Given both Ayush and Rajasthan Royals’s dashing young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi (14) have grabbed everyone’s attention at this IPL with their opening heroics with the bat, a comparison is inevitable, but Mhatre Sr warns against it. He felt that the two India U-19 teammates are absolutely different batters. 
“I’ve told Ayush that he and Vaibhav are two very different batsmen and that if someone compares him with Vaibhav, he should not keep that in mind. I have also told him not to try to imitate Vaibhav or look to score a century like him. I believe there is absolutely no need for Ayush to take any pressure upon himself and try to do big things. He has a long way to go,” concluded Yogesh.

This article first appeared on Mid Day