Ravi Shastri sees something special in CSK’s 17-year-old prodigy Ayush Mhatre 

Ravi Shastri praised their young CSK talent Ayush Mhatre's impressive performances, foreseeing a potential future with the Indian cricket team.

Ravi Shastri sees something special in CSK’s 17-year-old prodigy Ayush Mhatre 

Ex-India coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on young CSK star Ayush Mhatre. (via Crictracker)

Former Indian cricketer-turner presenter Ravi Shastri praised Chennai Super Kings prodigy Ayush Mhatre for his impressive display for the side, despite the team’s struggles this season. Shastri claimed that the 17-year-old batter could play for the Indian cricket team, in the future. 

The ongoing 2025 IPL season has seen several young talents emerge. The IPL, has over the years been a breeding ground for Indian cricketers, with many of the players having gone on to represent the Indian cricket team. The likes of players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and many others, are examples of how India has benefited from the inception of the IPL in 2008. 

Among the many youngsters this season, one name that has stood out is that of youngster Ayush Mhatre. The 17-year-old prodigy has been in great touch, despite having played just two matches for an underperforming Chennai Super Kings side. He replaced CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, midway through the season, after the latter suffered a season-ending elbow injury, against Rajasthan Royals.

Mhatre has been a rare shining light in CSK’s weak batting lineup. CSK have underperformed this season, as they remain at the bottom of the 2025 IPL table with just four points. However, Mhatre has produced scored 62 runs in his two appearances. The 17-year-old prodigy has batted at a strike rate of 182.35 and an average of 31, and is being touted as a future opening partner alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, at Chennai. 

The bright and talented right-hander does boast an impressive domestic record. He was impressive in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored a staggering 458 runs in just seven matches at an average of 65.43 and a strike rate of 135.50. Ayush Mhatre did feature in the under-19 Asia Cup last year, where he ended as the Men in Blues’ third-highest run getter, with 176 runs in five matches. 

Having earned his maiden IPL contract at such a young age, Mhatre has attracted several admirers, one of them being 1983 World Cup winner Ravi Shastri. The ex-India coach noted Mhatre’s shots against MI and SRH as ‘unbelievable’, against the star-studded bowling lineups. Shastri added that the 17-year-old’s could play for India in the coming years, and emphasised that he is a player to look out for in the future.

I think Ayush Mhatre has got a future. When I look at him, some of the shots he played, I think this guy, if he’s handled properly and is with the right kind of people, he is someone who can go a long way.

Ravi Shastri on Ayush Mhatre (H/T Republic)

Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see whether Ayush Mhatre, and fellow CSK replacement Dewald Brevis, manage to get the team out of troubled waters. Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri also praised the likes of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, alongside Mhatre. 

Ravi Shastri shares his opinion on the Indian pace bowling trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shatri heaped praise on the Indian pace bowling trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, amid the 2025 IPL season. He noted his delight at being able to see the three bowlers returning to form, ahead of the crucial international cricketing season.

Ravi Shastri Indian pace-bowling
Ravi Shastri hoped for the Indian pace trio of Shami, Siraj and Bumrah to be fit for the upcoming England Tests. (via Revsports)

While Shastri backed Shami and Siraj to make their way back into the Indian Test side, and put in a dominant showing, he added that the two players would complement star Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. The 62-year-old former player stated that if the three players are fully fit for the upcoming England Test series, they could wreak havoc and cause a lot of problems for the opponents.

I think with [Mohammed] Siraj, Jasprit [Bumrah] and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems. It’s a quality, top-class pace attack when you get these three fit.

Ravi Shastri on the Indian pace trio (via ICC Review)

Moreover, Ravi Shastri also recalled getting hurt by the fact that Siraj, was excluded from India’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad. However, Siraj has shown why he cannot be left out, through his impressive IPL display, having scalped 12 wickets in eight matches for Gujarat Titans at an average of 23.58.