Did Rohit Sharma Just Gift a Bat to U-19 Skipper Ayush Mhatre Before the England Tour?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma gifts a signed bat to Ayush Mhatre.
- Mhatre prepares to lead the U-19 team in England.
- This gesture symbolizes the mentorship in cricket.
- Mhatre's rise follows his impressive IPL performance.
- Rohit’s retirement from Test cricket marks a new chapter.
New Delhi, June 18 (NationPress) As India U-19 prepares for their upcoming tour to England, senior Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has presented a signed bat to young Mumbai prodigy Ayush Mhatre, who is set to captain the U-19 team on this significant journey.
Mhatre gained recognition for his impressive performance with the Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2025 season and is gearing up to take charge of the Indian U-19 squad for a series of five Youth ODIs and two multi-day matches from June 24 to July 23.
Before heading off, the 19-year-old shared a touching moment on Instagram, smiling widely alongside Rohit while proudly displaying the cherished bat.
"A bat, a blessing, and a memory that will last forever. Thank you, Rohit da," Mhatre expressed, perfectly capturing the significance of this gesture.
The camaraderie between the two Mumbaikars deepened earlier this year when Mhatre had the opportunity to share the dressing room with Rohit during a Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Jammu & Kashmir. Rohit made a rare domestic appearance and took Mhatre's place in the playing XI, but for the young cricketer, it was a dream come true.
"I began my cricket journey by watching him bat on TV, and now I am sharing a dressing room with my idol — it’s an unforgettable experience. So much knowledge to take forward," Mhatre reflected.
With Rohit currently stepping back from cricket following his retirement from Test matches, the torch is being passed in more ways than one. As he prepares for his next challenge — a white-ball tour to Australia — emerging leaders like Mhatre are ready to uphold India’s rich cricketing legacy.
Rohit announced his Test cricket retirement ahead of the senior men’s team's tour of England, which kicks off with the first Test in Leeds on Friday. He will continue to represent India in ODIs, with Shubman Gill captaining the Indian side in the five-match Test series, supported by Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.