Cricket might be a game of numbers on the field, but some moments go way beyond it. Meeting someone you grew up idolising is certainly a moment that stays forever. The young batter Ayush Mhatre from Maharashtra grew up watching and learning from fellow Mumbai cricketer Rohit Sharma. Despite his admiration, Mahtre lost his spot in the Ranji Trophy to Rohit. This didn’t cease the younger Chennai Super Kings batter from sharing some off-pitch tales along with his idol, a reminiscence that also feels surreal.
Speaking in an interview with the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) YouTube channel, the Indian U-19 World Cup winner opened up about his particular meetup with Rohit earlier than his tour to England and the way he was gifted a bat by the previous Indian and Mumbai Indians’ skipper.
Mhatre, who made his IPL debut for CSK in opposition to MI in 2025, impressed straightaway with 32 of simply 15 balls. That dream debut introduced him face-to-face with Rohit, who later shared just a few encouraging words and even informed him he may attain out anytime.
The story started with a easy message
Mhatre determined to attain out to Rohit, hoping to get just a few words of steering and encouragement forward of his tour to England. What adopted subsequent was past his creativeness. Rohit personally known as him, requested the place he stayed, and even questioned if he would journey all the best way from Virar simply to meet him.
Mahtre reminisced concerning the second, “So I was about to go on the England tour, and I wanted to speak to him a bit. I messaged him. Then I said I wanted to meet him, so he called me directly. He called me from his side and said, tell me what you want to say. I told him that I am going on this tour and wanted to meet. He asked me, where do you stay? I said Virar. He said, will you come from Virar to meet me? I said yes, I can come anywhere to meet you, I just want to meet you.”
The easy message got here true the subsequent day for the rising star. As somebody who grew up idolising Rohit, it meant greater than only a assembly; it was a full-circle second.
Mahtre added, “He said it’s not like that, we can also talk on video. I said no; I want to meet you in person and talk. Then he gave me his home address, and I went to his house the next day. I spoke to him for at least 2 hours. I mean, it was crazy that he gave me so much time; that’s a big thing for me. My idol gave me time, so it was a dream day for me. I didn’t even realise how time passed, 2 hours went by. It felt really good talking to him.”
Sometimes, moments like these typically form a participant’s perception, as Mhatre went on to have a profitable tour to England, main his facet to a 3-2 Youth ODI collection win. Also, boasting 340 runs scored over 4 innings within the Youth Test collection.
Mhatre was retained by CSK in 2025, scoring 240 runs and proving to be a reliable choice. Now, as he continues to develop this season, one other assembly along with his idol won’t be too far-off, and this time it would come on the pitch.
