Mumbai’s 17-year-old cricket prodigy, Ayush Mhatre, announced his arrival on the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 stage with a magnificent maiden first-class century, propelling his team to a commanding position on the first day against Maharashtra. Mhatre’s stellar knock of 127 not out came off just 133 balls at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC, Mumbai, as he helped Mumbai take a firm grip on the match.

Opening the innings for Mumbai, Mhatre displayed remarkable composure and shot selection, smashing 14 fours and two sixes. His knock was instrumental in Mumbai reaching 220/3 at stumps, in response to Maharashtra’s meager first-innings total of 126. Mhatre’s hundred followed a key contribution to the field earlier in the day, where he took three sharp catches that aided Mumbai’s quick dismantling of Maharashtra’s batting lineup.

Mhatre’s maiden century is even more impressive considering his cricketing journey. The young Virar-born cricketer has been a rising star in the Mumbai cricket circuit, making his first-class debut earlier this month in the Irani Cup and registering a fifty in his Ranji Trophy debut against Baroda. His ton in just his third first-class game underscores his immense potential.

In a crucial moment of the innings, Mhatre’s partnership with veteran Ajinkya Rahane and later with Shreyas Iyer stabilized Mumbai’s innings after the early loss of Prithvi Shaw and Hardik Tamore with the score at 24. “Batting with Ajinkya bhai was special. We focused on setting small targets, five runs at a time, to keep the scoreboard ticking,” Mhatre said after his knock.

Rahane departed for 31, but Iyer continued to support Mhatre with an unbeaten 45 as Mumbai cruised past Maharashtra’s total with ease. With a deep batting lineup, Mumbai now looks set to pile on a big first-innings lead and push for an early finish to the game.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra’s captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, opted to bat first, a decision that quickly backfired. Shardul Thakur made early inroads by dismissing Gaikwad and Sachin Dhas in quick succession. Maharashtra never recovered, slipping to 59/6 before Azim Kazi (36) and Nikhil Naik (38) briefly resisted with a 57-run stand for the seventh wicket. However, a brilliant catch by Rahane dismissed Naik, and left-arm spinner Shams Mulani wrapped up the tail.

As the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season unfolds, Ayush Mhatre’s heroics will be a talking point, with his remarkable maiden hundred positioning him as a rising star in Indian cricket. Mumbai, riding high on Mhatre’s knock, will be eager to build on their strong start and secure a dominant victory against Maharashtra.