Mumbai’s young batting prodigy, Ayush Mhatre, has shared an emotional message for his idol, Rohit Sharma, after the Indian Test captain replaced him in the Ranji Trophy playing XI for the match against Jammu and Kashmir. Despite being dropped, the 17-year-old was ecstatic about the opportunity to share the dressing room with his cricketing hero.
Ayush Mhatre’s Promising Start in Domestic Cricket
Mhatre has been making waves in domestic cricket since his debut. The talented batter has scored 441 runs in just six first-class matches at an impressive average of 40.09, showcasing consistency at a young age. In Mumbai’s previous Ranji Trophy match against Services, he scored a brilliant century (116), playing a pivotal role in his team’s victory.
Mhatre also made his List A debut last year, where he amassed 458 runs at a phenomenal average of 65.42, including two centuries and a fifty. Despite his form, the youngster had to make way for Rohit Sharma, who returned to the Ranji Trophy to regain his rhythm in red-ball cricket.
An “Unreal Moment” for Ayush Mhatre
Although disappointed to miss out on the playing XI, Mhatre expressed his gratitude and excitement about sharing the dressing room with Rohit. Taking to Instagram, he wrote:
“Started playing cricket by watching him bat on television to sharing a dressing room with my idol was such an unreal moment. Lots of learning to take forward.”
Rohit Sharma’s Struggles Continue in Ranji Return
Making his first Ranji Trophy appearance for Mumbai in nearly a decade, Rohit Sharma had a tough start in the clash against Jammu and Kashmir. On the first day, he was dismissed for just 3 runs off 19 balls. However, Rohit displayed a much-improved performance in the second innings, scoring 28 runs.
Rohit’s knock, though short, included glimpses of his class, as he played some exceptional strokes, including two sixes lifted over the bowler’s head. Despite this, his recent red-ball form remains concerning. In his last outings against New Zealand and Australia, he managed scores of 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 3, and 9.
What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?
With Mumbai’s next Ranji Trophy match against Meghalaya starting on January 30, it remains to be seen whether Rohit Sharma will continue to feature in the playing XI or make way for young talents like Ayush Mhatre. Regardless, the experience of sharing the dressing room with one of India’s greatest cricketers is sure to inspire Mhatre as he continues to build his career.
