Ayush Mhatre Sets A New Record With Fastest Century In Youth Test Cricket

Cricket, like all sports, has its moments—those rare passages of play when time seems to bend around brilliance. At the County Ground in Chelmsford, on the final day of the second Youth Test between India U-19 and England U-19, such a moment was authored by 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre, who smashed a jaw-dropping 64-ball century, the fastest in Youth Test cricket history. What began as a daunting chase of 355 turned into a swashbuckling display of fearless batsmanship—one that redefined the tempo and temperament of youth red-ball cricket.

Though rain and bad light forced a draw and denied India a famous victory, Mhatre’s innings of 126 off 80 balls stood out like a lighthouse in fog—guiding his team toward what could have been one of the most dramatic chases in youth cricket history. More than a knock, it was a statement: the future is here, and it’s bold, brash, and beautifully composed.

The Pressure Cooker: Setting the Stage at Chelmsford

Heading into the final day, England U-19 had declared with a lead of 354, asking the young Indians to either block out 65 overs or scale the mountain. Such scenarios rarely end in anything other than a defensive retreat. But Ayush Mhatre had other plans.

After Vaibhav Suryavanshi fell to the very first ball of the innings, the pressure was immense. India was 0 for 1, facing not just a strong English attack, but a scoreboard that glared with urgency. Enter Mhatre, carrying not just his bat but the weight of captaincy and expectations.

He took a few balls to settle in—scoring just 7 from his first 12 deliveries. Then the assault began. Back-foot punches, lofted straight drives, swatted pulls, and elegant inside-out cover drives began flowing as Mhatre switched gears with clinical timing.

Within 45 minutes, Chelmsford wasn’t just watching a chase—they were witnessing a spectacle.

The Record: Fastest Century in Youth Tests

The landmarks came thick and fast:

Fifty in 25 balls, already the quickest in the series.
Century in 64 balls, obliterating the previous Youth Test record of 88 balls held by George Bell (England U-19 vs Sri Lanka U-19, 2022).
His eventual dismissal on 126 (80 balls) included 13 fours and 6 sixes.
Strike Rate: 157.50—staggering for a red-ball innings, let alone in Youth Test cricket.

The clarity of intent was breathtaking. Mhatre wasn’t slogging—this wasn’t T20-style mindlessness. He picked his bowlers, judged lengths early, and unleashed shots with the balance of a seasoned pro. Off-spinner Ollie Toms was dispatched over long-on with contempt, while pacers like Noah Thain were met with precision cuts and uppercuts over point.

It wasn’t just how fast he scored—it was how well he judged the situation. He turned a defense-oriented innings into a legitimate chase.

The Chase: Almost a Miracle, Halted by Weather

By the time Mhatre fell for 126, India had raced to 215 in just 28 overs. With 140 runs needed from 37 overs and four wickets down, India looked like they might pull off the impossible. Abhigyan Kundu and wicketkeeper Ansh Gosavi kept the tempo going, and by the 40th over, the score read 290 for 6.

But then, as fate would have it, the Chelmsford sky turned grey. The umpires offered light, the players hesitated, and soon the drizzle escalated. The match was called off, and with it, India’s surge was capped at 65 runs short of a stunning win.

Yet, nobody left disappointed. The match ended in a draw, but it delivered a performance that etched itself into youth cricket folklore.

Mhatre’s Series: A Study in Consistency and Controlled Aggression

What made Mhatre’s century even more monumental was that it wasn’t a one-off. This series against England U-19 had already seen him assert himself:

1st Youth Test (Leeds): 102 off 115 balls – an innings full of composure.
2nd Youth Test, 1st Innings: 80 off 90 balls – again aggressive, again classy.
2nd Innings: 126 off 80 – a record-breaking blitz.

In total, Mhatre scored 308 runs in the series at a strike rate of nearly 125, a phenomenal figure in the red-ball format. His nine sixes in the series broke Saurabh Tiwary’s record for most sixes in a Youth Test series for India.

But beyond the numbers was a growing sense that this teenager wasn’t just riding form—he was controlling games, dictating pace and pressure, and lifting his teammates in the process.

The Rise of Ayush Mhatre: From Mumbai to Chelmsford Glory

Born and raised in Mumbai’s cricket-rich suburb of Dadar, Ayush Mhatre is no stranger to pressure. A product of the Shivaji Park academy system, he has been groomed on dusty pitches and fast-bouncing maidans, often facing bowlers older than him.

By the age of 15, he had captained Mumbai U-16, and his flair with the bat was already well known. At the Vinoo Mankad Trophy earlier in 2024, he smashed 498 runs in just 6 innings, prompting calls for his immediate elevation to U-19 level.

What sets Mhatre apart, according to coaches and peers, is not just talent—but temperament.

“He walks in like he belongs there—no nerves, no fluff. He reads the game, and then he owns it,” said Rahul Deshpande, his coach at Mumbai Cricket Club.

His captaincy has also drawn praise. Cool under pressure, expressive but calculated, Mhatre is often seen discussing field placements with bowlers, never afraid to back a gut call. It’s this blend of aggression with intelligence that makes him India’s top youth prospect.

Redefining Youth Test Cricket

Youth Tests have historically been breeding grounds for technique and temperament. Patience was the virtue most prized. But Mhatre’s knock has signaled a shift—modern red-ball cricket isn’t about slowing the game, but bending it to your rhythm.

In a world where formats are merging, and cricketers are expected to be multi-dimensional from an early age, Mhatre’s approach reflects the evolution of cricket. His innings carried the aggression of T20s, the pacing of ODIs, and the solidity of Tests.

“This was a Babar-like innings in tempo, but with Sehwag-like fearlessness,” remarked a commentator during the broadcast.

What Lies Ahead?

Mhatre is now firmly in the selectors’ radar. A call-up to the India A side—or even a training stint with the senior team—is not far-fetched. With the ICC U-19 World Cup scheduled for early 2026, he is poised to be India’s lynchpin in the campaign.

Scouts from IPL franchises were also present in Chelmsford, and sources suggest he’s already on the shortlist for at least three major franchises for the 2026 season. Though youth Test centuries don’t guarantee IPL success, Mhatre’s intent and range have the hallmarks of a future T20 star too.

Voices from the Cricketing World

The cricketing world lit up with praise for Mhatre’s milestone:

Rahul Dravid, former India coach: “That knock showed maturity beyond years. If he continues on this path, he’ll be wearing the blue very soon.”
Michael Atherton, former England captain: “I’ve not seen a Youth Test knock as commanding in the last decade. Incredible intent.”
Wasim Jaffer, India U-19 batting consultant: “He made Chelmsford feel like Wankhede. Absolute gem of a player.”

A New Star is Born

In cricket, a truly great innings does more than just change a match—it changes expectations. Ayush Mhatre’s 64-ball century has done just that. It has announced the arrival of a new generation that doesn’t flinch under pressure, that rewrites definitions of tempo, and that plays with heart and head in equal measure.

It was an innings for the ages—not just for what it achieved, but for how it made people feel: thrilled, inspired, and hopeful. If this was just the beginning, then Indian cricket might just have found its next big thing.

Ayush Mhatre didn’t just score a century. He scripted a moment.