NEW DELHI: Mumbai’s rising star Ayush Mhatre etched his name in the history books with a record-breaking performance against Nagaland in the Group C match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
At just 17 years and 168 days, Mhatre became the youngest player in the world to score 150+ runs in List A cricket, surpassing statemate's Yashasvi Jaiswal’s previous record set at 17 years and 291 days against Jharkhand in 2019.
Despite playing against a below-par bowling attack, Mhatre’s innings was a masterclass in timing and temperament. Opening the innings, he displayed maturity beyond his years, combining precise strokeplay with calculated risks. His 181-run knock was laced with 15 elegant boundaries and 11 towering sixes, leaving the crowd in awe of the young prodigy.
The previous record-holder, Jaiswal, had set the milestone during his breakout year in domestic cricket. Jaiswal’s 17 years and 291 days seemed unbeatable for a long time, showcasing the rarity of such exceptional talent at such a young age. However, Mhatre’s achievement not only broke the record but also reinforced Mumbai’s reputation as a cradle of batting excellence.
Youngest players to post a 150+ score in List A cricket
17y 168d - Ayush Mhatre (MUM)17y 291d - Yashasvi Jaiswal (MUM)19y 63d - Robin Uthappa (KAR)19y 136d - Tom Prest (HAM)
This milestone places Mhatre among an elite list of young players who have made significant contributions in List A cricket. Robin Uthappa, at 19 years and 63 days, achieved his milestone for Karnataka, showcasing his attacking prowess early in his career. England’s Tom Prest, representing Hampshire, entered the list with his own exceptional performance at 19 years and 136 days.
Mhatre’s innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is more than a record — it’s a statement about the future of Indian cricket. Before the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Mhatre opened for India in the recently-concluded U-19 Asia Cup. In that tournament, he played five innings and scored `176 runs, averaging 44.
Mhatre played a pivotal role in leading India to the final of the U-19 Asia Cup. However, despite his efforts, India fell short in the final, suffering a defeat against Bangladesh in a closely contested match.
