Ayush Mhatre’s Fearless IPL Debut Turns Heads: "Not Easy to be Fearless on T20 Debut," Says Pujara

On a night where Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced yet another defeat in IPL 2025, a bright new star emerged under the Wankhede lights. Making his T20 and IPL debut at just 17, Ayush Mhatre announced his arrival with a bold and breezy 32 off just 15 deliveries, showcasing fearlessness that earned praise from legends of the game.

Walking in at No. 3 against Mumbai Indians, Mhatre wasted no time—smashing 17 runs off the first four balls he faced, including two sixes and a four. Although his innings was short-lived, it left a strong impression on teammates, coaches, and pundits alike.

“He was very impressive and a very composed young man,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said. “He stood out at the trials. From a skillset point of view, he was really impressive, but even more important was his composure. Both MS [Dhoni] and I felt he was ready when the opportunity came.”

Mhatre, a product of Mumbai's domestic system, was unsold in the last IPL auction. But an injury to CSK’s regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad opened the door for the young batter, who grabbed the chance with both hands.

Fleming acknowledged that CSK’s current struggles—languishing at the bottom of the points table—played a part in fast-tracking Mhatre. “The stage seems big, but it's one that's familiar to him. We banked on him being comfortable at Wankhede, and he certainly looked all that.”

His innings featured a gorgeous straight drive for four off his second ball and two emphatic sixes off Ashwani Kumar and Deepak Chahar. Eventually, it was Chahar who dismissed him, but not before Mhatre left a lasting impression.

Captain MS Dhoni was quick to commend the youngster’s fearless approach. “He just wanted to play his shots. That's the kind of approach that is needed at the top. If that continues, it makes things easier for the rest of the lineup.”

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut, described Mhatre’s knock as a “statement innings.” Finch added, “That shot down the ground wasn’t even a half-volley, but he smacked it through mid-off. Clearly leg-side dominant, but he showed real confidence.”

India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara also weighed in, praising Mhatre’s ability to stay composed on such a big occasion. “It's not easy to be fearless when you're playing your first-ever T20 game at this level,” Pujara said. “He’s played a lot of cricket in Mumbai and that’s definitely helped.”

Mhatre’s credentials extend beyond this one innings. He already has two centuries each in both first-class and List A cricket. His 181 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy made him the youngest player to score 150 in a men’s List A innings.

With young cricketers across India adopting a more aggressive, confident style, Finch highlighted the evolving mindset. “These kids now think, ‘what will get me another game is hitting three or four sixes.’ Then you become an Impact Player—and you go viral.”

Fleming, while supportive of expressive play, stressed the importance of balance. “It’s impressive, but not always sustainable. You still need the craft of experienced players to complement the exuberance of youth.”

Whether or not this new wave is built for the long haul remains to be seen. But for now, Ayush Mhatre's fearless debut has provided a flicker of hope for CSK—and perhaps signaled the arrival of another future star in Indian cricket.