Ayush Mhatre Credits Rohit Sharma’s Home Guidance for U19 World Cup Captaincy Success

Ayush Mhatre, appointed captain of India’s squad for the 2026 U19 World Cup, led the team to a record-extending sixth title. India defeated England by 100 runs in the final, with opening batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing a pivotal role in the victory. After assuming the captaincy, Mhatre sought counsel from senior players to prepare for the leadership responsibility.

On a podcast with former cricketer Aakash Chopra, Mhatre disclosed that he reached out to Rohit Sharma for advice following his appointment. During the IPL, Rohit had invited the young batter to contact him anytime. When Mhatre messaged Rohit after being named captain, the India skipper responded with a direct call.

Rohit dedicated significant time to discussing the nuances of captaincy with Mhatre during a meeting at his residence. Demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the young leader, Rohit also spoke with Mhatre’s father. Mhatre expressed gratitude for Rohit’s willingness to assist despite a demanding schedule.

“After the IPL, I was named U-19 captain. I had not much idea about it. So I texted Rohit bhai. He had told me I could call or message him whenever I wanted to talk during the IPL. He called me then. I told him I wanted to meet and talk. He told me to come to his home. Then I sat and spoke a lot with him,” said Mhatre as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“He explained things to me very well and how to handle the team as a captain and all of that. He took the time and spoke well. He spoke for half an hour to my dad as well. He is humble and always available to talk,” he added.

Mhatre’s Rise in Professional Cricket

Following this mentorship, Mhatre advanced in his professional career, making his first-class debut for Chennai Super Kings in 2025. The young batter has featured in 13 IPL matches, accumulating 441 runs with a highest score of 94. Recalling his first encounter with MS Dhoni, Mhatre admitted he was initially hesitant to approach the legendary former India captain.

“I saw Mahi bhai live for the first time and I actually got scared. Even now, it is there a bit. He talks freely, but he is a legend. I wanted to get a picture with him but could not understand how to approach him. It was the last day of the trials, and then I just went. I got a picture with him then. I did not talk to him as such. It was only the picture,” Mhatre said.

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