"Playing alongside Dhoni is every youngster's dream" - 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre reacts to being called for trials by CSK ahead of IPL auction 

Young Mumbai opener Ayush Mhatre has confirmed that he has received a call for trials from MS Dhoni's Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Expressing excitement over the same, he admitted that playing alongside Dhoni would be a dream come true for him.

Mhatre made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup clash against Rest of India in October and has already struck two hundreds. The right-handed batter was the Player of the Match for his 176 against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai. In the ongoing match against Services in Delhi, he scored 116 in the first innings.

In an interview to news agency IANS on Thursday, November 14, Mhatre shared his thoughts on the interest shown in him by CSK and the legend himself (Dhoni).

"Yes, I got a call from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talent scout team for the trials a few days back. I think I will go for the trials, but right now, my focus is on red-ball cricket. Since this is the last match of the first half of the Ranji Trophy season, I want to finish it on a high note," he said.

"I can't say if I will be picked in the auction, but yes if I get a chance to play in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, I will try to be productive for the franchise. Playing alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni is every youngster's dream and it will be a dream come true for me. I haven't met him yet, but let's see what happens," Mhatre went on to add.

Earlier this week, a report in The Times of India stated that CSK have asked Mhatre to report for the selection trials during the six-day break between the fifth round of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy (which ends on November 16) and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, which begins on November 23. The opening batter has also been named in India's Under-19 squad for the Asia Cup in the UAE.

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Mumbai's batting falters around Ayush Mhatre's ton

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy match in Palam in Delhi, Services were bowled out for 240 in 81 overs as all-rounder Shardul Thakur claimed 4-46. In response, Mumbai went to stumps at 253-8, with a slender lead of 13 runs.

Mhatre held the innings together for Mumbai, with his 116 off 49 balls. The opening batter's knock featured 12 fours and three sixes. Shreyas Iyer contributed 47 off 46. However, the rest of the batters failed to make significant contributions. For Services, Pulkit Narang claimed three of the eight wickets to fall.