Fourteen years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, currently touring England with the India U-19 team, is making headlines for all the right reasons. The promising youngster participated in all the five youth ODIs under the leadership of Ayush Mhatre and carried that momentum into the first youth Test, which wrapped up in Beckenham on Tuesday, July 15. During the match, Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name into the record books by becoming the youngest Indian to take a wicket in a youth Test.
A day after the match concluded, Vaibhav Suryavanshi took to Instagram to wish his captain Ayush Mhatre a happy birthday. He shared a photo of the two of them together, calling Mhatre a “legend” in a heartfelt caption. The post has since gone viral, showcasing the camaraderie between the two rising stars.
Here is the post:
Ayush Mhatre, who turned 18 on Wednesday, has been enjoying a spectacular run of form in 2025. Earlier this year, he made headlines in the Indian Premier League after being signed by Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad. His IPL debut came on April 20 against Mumbai Indians at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Batting at No. 3 for the MS Dhoni led side, Mhatre impressed everyone by scoring 32 runs off just 15 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes.
His standout performance in the IPL 2025 occurred on May 3 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium where he smashed a brilliant 94 off 48 deliveries. Although his effort wasn’t enough to secure a win for CSK, it certainly established his credentials. By the end of the season, Mhatre had played seven matches and scored 240 runs, including one half-century.
In the first youth Test against England, Mhatre continued to showcase his all-round talent. In the first innings, he scored a magnificent 102 off 115 balls, reaching the three-figure mark with a boundary off Archie Vaughan. He followed that with a solid 32 from 43 balls in the second innings, reinforcing his value as a dependable top-order batter.
Ayush Mhatre’s cricketing journey goes well beyond the U-19 and IPL stage. Representing Mumbai in domestic cricket, he has already played in prestigious tournaments such as the Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. In nine first-class matches, he has accumulated 504 runs from 16 innings while in List A cricket, he boasts 458 runs from just seven matches. His best performance in the 50-over format is a phenomenal 181-run knock.
Together, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre exemplify the next generation of Indian cricket. Their exploits in England and on the domestic circuit suggest that they are not just future stars but already rising forces to be reckoned with.
All the best to both of them for their future endeavours!
