India U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre received words of encouragement from his father Yogesh Mhatre ahead of the World Cup semi-final against Afghanistan in Harare. Confident of India’s balanced squad and strong team bonding, Mhatre Sr backed the young side to stay unbeaten and clinch a sixth U-19 World Cup title
India U-19 skipper Ayush Mhatre during the match against New Zealand at Bulawayo recently
Yogesh Mhatre, the father of India U-19 skipper Ayush Mhatre has an inspiring message for his son on the eve of India’s ICC U-19 World Cup semi-final against Afghanistan at Harare, Zimbabwe.
‘India have a balanced side’
Speaking to mid-day over the phone from their Vasai home, Mhatre Sr said that he wants five-time champions India to remain unbeaten in the biennial competition. “I have told Ayush not to take any pressure. He should remain in the present and be ready to face any situation with a positive mindset. Our Indian team is a balanced side in both, the batting and bowling departments. The team’s bonding is also great and every individual is shouldering his responsibility perfectly. I’m sure they will play with full confidence in the semi-final and remain unbeaten and go on to win the tournament for the sixth time,” Mhatre Sr told mid-day on Tuesday.
India U-19 skipper Ayush Mhatre with father Yogesh (right)
Mumbai-based Ayush, who is known for his attacking batting, has so far scored 99 runs in five matches besides claiming six wickets with his accurate off-spinners. Another Mumbai boy, wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu, and attacking opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are India’s top run-getters currently, scoring 199 and 196 respectively. Another promising batter is Vihaan Malhotra, who scored an unbeaten 109 against Zimbabwe. He has collected 172 runs in five matches so far. Pacer Henil Patel leads India’s bowling department with 11 scalps, while fellow pacer RS Ambrish and left-arm spinner Khilan Patel have bowled well, picking up eight wickets apiece.
Learnings from MS Dhoni
Teenaged Ayush, 18, played under former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings in the previous Indian Premier League (IPL), and Mhatre Sr reckons young Ayush is also trying to learn to lead and motivate the young Indian team just like his IPL skipper. “Ayush has always remained in touch with his senior players. And he is trying to lead this U-19 team in the same way his captains in the other senior teams guided and handled him. He is always chatting with his teammates about their specific roles. Since childhood, he is used to playing with older players, so given that experience, he handles his teammates well and prefers to give them a freehand and back their skills,” said Yogesh.
‘Motivate all your players’
Interestingly, though the father and son chat regularly over the phone, Yogesh particularly recalled their last conversation before his son’s departure for Zimbabwe. “I remember when he was leaving, I told him to be confident, positive and return with the U-19 World Cup for our country. I also told him that though individual performances are good, he should also look to motivate all his players to give their best and perform well. I’m hoping he has his hands on that World Cup this Friday.”
Two
No of centuries struck by Ayush Mhatre in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy
240
No of runs scored by Ayush Mhatre in seven matches at IPL 2025
1
No of half-tons for Mhatre in five games at the ICC U-19 World Cup
99
No of runs scored by Ayush Mhatre in five matches at the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup
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