Ayush Mhatre, a 17-year-old Mumbai batter, may be targeted by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to open with Ruturaj Gaikwad in the 2025 Indian Premier League. According to reports, after impressing former captain MS Dhoni, Ayush received an invitation from the team for a selection trial. For Ayush, it should be a dream come true because Dhoni has influenced the careers of many great cricket players. If Mhatre shows up for the trial, CSK will have eight days to assess him before the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy concludes on November 16.
CSK invites Ayush Mathre for trials
In October, Mhatre made his Mumbai first-class debut against the Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Mhatre opened the batting with Prithvi Shaw and scored 19 and 14 runs in the two innings. The young batter has amassed 321 runs at an average of 35.66 in five games thus far, smashing one hundred and one half-century, including a spectacular 176 against Maharashtra. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has reportedly been asked by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan to permit Mhatre to attend a trial at their CSKHPC Navalur grounds.
CSK named Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni in their retention list ahead of the auction. They now only have 55 crores in their purse as they enter the IPL 2025 mega auction.
CSK CEO on MS Dhoni
Although, there were doubts on MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League but the team paid INR 4 crore to keep him as an uncapped player. Regarding MS Dhoni's future, Kasi Viswanathan stated that the team is open to him playing for as long as he wants to. He further disclosed that Dhoni informed him that Chennai would be the location of his final match.
"As far as Mahi bhai is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he’ll play his last game in Chennai, we’re hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned," Viswanathan told Rayudu on Provoke TV
"As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I’m sure he’ll always make the right decision," he added.