Ayush Mhatre, the newest batting prodigy from Mumbai’s famed cricketing ecosystem, announced his arrival on the big stage in spectacular fashion on Friday, smashing an unbeaten century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2025–26) and breaking Rohit Sharma’s longstanding world record. The 18-year-old’s blistering knock not only powered Mumbai to a seven-wicket win over Vidarbha but also cemented his position as India’s next all-format sensation.
Mhatre’s explosive chase in Lucknow
Chasing 193 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium B, Mhatre unleashed a display of fearless and refined strokeplay. His unbeaten hundred came off a torrent of boundaries — eight fours and eight sixes — as Mumbai chased the target with 13 balls to spare.
This was only his ninth senior-level T20 appearance, having debuted earlier in IPL 2025 for the Chennai Super Kings. His retention by the five-time champions ahead of the IPL 2026 auction now appears not just justified, but prophetic.
Youngest all-format centurion in cricket history
With his T20 hundred in Lucknow, Mhatre achieved a historic milestone — becoming the youngest-ever batter to score centuries in all three formats of the game: First-Class, List A and T20.
Aged 18 years and 135 days, he surpassed Rohit Sharma, who had completed the all-format century set at 19 years and 339 days, including India’s first T20 hundred in early 2007.
The record places Mhatre above a prestigious list that includes Unmukt Chand, Quinton de Kock and Ahmed Shehzad — all of whom were considered future stars at similar stages of their careers.
Early promise and the making of a prodigy
Mhatre’s rise has been astonishingly rapid. Last year, at just 17, he smashed his maiden Ranji Trophy century using a bat gifted by fellow Mumbai product Prithvi Shaw. “I had asked for his bat and he gave it to me. I scored a hundred with it today,” Mhatre had said then, reflecting on his long association with Shaw, who also hails from Virar.
His cricketing journey mirrors Shaw’s own story — waking up at 4:15 am, travelling from Virar by the 5 am local train, and practising at Mumbai’s historic Oval Maidan. It is a routine that has produced some of India’s finest talents, and Mhatre now looks destined to join that league.
In January 2025, he became the youngest-ever List A centurion globally when he hammered 181 against Nagaland at age 17 years and 168 days. Performances across formats have since established him as one of the most exciting young batters in India’s pipeline.
Set to lead India at U-19 Asia Cup and likely at U-19 World Cup
Mhatre’s leadership qualities have also been recognised. The BCCI has named him captain of the Indian U-19 team for the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup, scheduled from December 12 in Dubai. The squad includes aggressive opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, with Vihaan Malhotra as vice-captain.
India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and two qualifying teams, while Group B features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and another qualifier.
His maturity and expanding shot range have convinced selectors that he is the frontrunner to lead India at the U-19 World Cup in January 2026 — an event where several Indian greats first announced themselves.
An emerging star in Mumbai’s golden legacy
Mumbai cricket has long been a conveyor belt of elite batting talent: from Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar to Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Prithvi Shaw. Ayush Mhatre now appears poised to take his place in that illustrious lineage.
Breaking Rohit’s world record at just 18 years and 135 days is not merely a statistical feat. It signals the arrival of a cricketer shaped by discipline, confidence and a deep-rooted Mumbai cricketing culture. As he continues to rise, India’s cricketing horizon seems brighter than ever.