India Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre returned to Mumbai a national hero after leading the Indian colts to a dramatic 7-wicket win over England in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final in Harare. The victory handed India a record-extending sixth U19 title and put Mhatre firmly on the map as a future senior prospect.
Soon after landing, Mhatre paid a touching visit to Sachin Tendulkar’s home — a symbolic moment for any young Indian cricketer. Tendulkar presented the 18-year-old with his Test jersey and penned a personal note: “Dear Ayush, wishing you all the success in your career.”
Ayush Mhatre shared the moment on Instagram, writing, “I grew up watching you through a screen. Today, I stand at your home, holding a piece of your journey in my hands. Thank you, Sir, for this honour. I will carry this with the same respect you carried Indian cricket for years.”
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Back home in Virar, Mhatre received a hero’s welcome. Family, friends and neighbours turned out in large numbers to celebrate the captain who anchored India through tense knockout matches. Mhatre played with composure when it mattered: 53 off 51 in the final and 62 off 59 in the semi-final against Afghanistan.
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Across the tournament, he scored 214 runs in seven innings, finishing as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer — steady contributions that underpinned the team’s charge.
While Mhatre’s leadership and clutch hits were pivotal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated headlines with a tournament-defining performance. Sooryavanshi amassed 439 runs and earned Player of the Tournament honours, including a blistering 175 in the final featuring 15 fours and 15 sixes. His boundary-laden assault rewrote Under-19 World Cup records and ensured India’s title win would be remembered for both team cohesion and individual brilliance.
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For Ayush Mhatre, the trophy, Tendulkar’s blessing and the warm hometown reception mark the start of a promising pathway. If he continues to translate youth success into consistent performances, the senior team won’t be far behind.
