IPL 2025: 17-Year-Old Ayush Mhatre Makes His Debut for CSK as MI Choose to Bowl First
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Synopsis
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. CSK made headlines by debuting 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, the youngest player to represent the franchise.
Key Takeaways
- Ayush Mhatre debuts as the youngest CSK player.
- Hardik Pandya chooses to bowl first after winning the toss.
- Chennai Super Kings aim to regain form after five consecutive losses.
- Both teams make strategic changes in their playing XI.
- Excitement remains high for the MI vs CSK rivalry.
Mumbai, April 20 (NationPress) - In a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings during Match 38 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Sunday.
Following the Rajasthan Royals' decision to field a 14-year-old debutant, Chennai Super Kings surprised many by introducing 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, a player from the Mumbai Ranji team, for his first appearance. Mhatre replaced Rahul Tripathi and has made history as the youngest player to don the CSK jersey.
Mumbai Indians also made a strategic change, bringing Ashwani Kumar into the playing XI from the bench.
Given that two of the three matches played at the Wankhede Stadium this season have favored the chasing teams, it was expected that Pandya would follow this trend.
Pandya commented that the pitch appears favorable but could become a bit challenging initially, which would allow them to gauge the conditions effectively. He stated, "We just need to continue playing solid cricket and executing our plans, while keeping things straightforward," when asked about their strategy to reach the playoffs.
"It’s thrilling that we haven’t yet played to our full potential, as it motivates us to bring our best team to each game. The presence of Dhoni always excites everyone. The MI vs CSK rivalry is always a spectacle. We are eagerly looking forward to today," added Pandya.
CSK captain MS Dhoni mentioned they would have opted to bowl first as well. "Playing bold cricket is crucial; however, it's equally important for batsmen to understand their own capabilities, just as bowlers must. There are many factors to consider in both areas. Allowing players to express themselves is essential," explained Dhoni on how they aim to turn around their season after suffering five consecutive losses.
Dhoni emphasized the need to improve their catching but acknowledged that overall performance must be enhanced across all aspects of the game.
Playing XIs:
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwani Kumar
Impact Substitutes: Corbin Bosch, Rohit Sharma, Raj Bawa, Robin Minz, Raju
Chennai Super Kings: Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Ayush Mhatre, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, James Overton, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Noor Ahmad, Ibrahim Khaleel, Matheesha Pathirana
Impact Substitutes: Anshul Kamboj, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sam Curran, R. Ashwin.
