Ayush Mhatre, who led India to the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 title earlier this February, could not play for Mumbai’s Under-23 team in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy match against Odisha. The clash began at the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana in Kandivli, but the World Cup hero was missing.
BCCI rule turns into a big setback for Ayush Mhatre
As reported by Mumbai Mirror, Ayush Mhatre was not eligible to take part in the CK Nayudu Trophy due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rules, despite having already made his Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy debuts for the senior Mumbai cricket team.
The BCCI rules say a player must play at least two matches during the season to become eligible to play in the CK Nayudu Trophy. Mhatre did not play any U-23 games this season because his calendar was packed with India Under-19 and Mumbai’s senior team duty.
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This was a massive setback for Mumbai, as Mhatre has been in stunning form and has huge confidence. In the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, he scored 189 runs in seven matches with the help of three half-centuries. Two of them came in the semi-final and final.
Not Mhatre but Kundu gets green signal in CK Nayudu Trophy
Meanwhile, another India Under-19 star, Abhigyan Kundu, found his place in the Mumbai Under-23 XI in the CK Nayudu Trophy. The young wicketkeeper-batter had already played two matches earlier in the season. That made him eligible to take part in the match against Odisha.
Kundu has impressed one and all with his batting in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, where he amassed 239 runs in seven games, including two fifties.
Earlier, Ayush Mhatre became the youngest cricketer to score centuries in all three formats, including First-Class, List A, and T20, at just 18 years old. He has so far played 17 FC, 7 List-A, 13 T20, and 7 IPL games, scoring 660, 458, 564, and 240 runs, respectively.
Sachin Tendulkar’s special gift to Mhatre
Earlier, Ayush Mhatre met the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar after returning from Zimbabwe. The Master Blaster handed over a very special jersey. The same one he wore in his last Test series for India.
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The message was clear to the next generation to take forward the legacy. Tendulkar asked the young sensation to keep working hard, stay focused, do not get distracted, and ignore the noise.
Notably, Mhatre will be next seen in action for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026).
Ayush Mhatre targets Team India debut through IPL
Behind every talented young player, there is a coach who believed in him from the start. Prashant Shetty has trained Ayush since he was just nine years old.
Shetty said that Ayush was always serious about cricket. He worked very hard and prepared himself both mentally and physically to reach this level. Now the next target is clear: perform strongly in the IPL and earn a place in the Indian team.
