Raghuvanshi, 20, and Mhatre, 17, have been impressive with their technique and temperament for followers of Mumbai cricket to sound optimistic about their future
Ayush Mhatre. Pic/Satej Shinde; (right) Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Pic/Atul Kamble
Two young Mumbai batsmen — Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ayush Mhatre — are being viewed by the pundits as special ones who are primed to hit the high notes in 2025.
It’s a vital year where Mumbai have to be on song to defend their Ranji Trophy crown which they attained for the 42nd time last year.
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Raghuvanshi, 20, and Mhatre, 17, have been impressive with their technique and temperament for followers of Mumbai cricket to sound optimistic about their future.
Delhi-born Raghuvanshi shifted base to Mumbai when he was just 11 to train with Abhishek Nayar, the former Mumbai skipper, who is now India’s assistant coach.
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Raghuvanshi played four games and scored 84 in Mumbai’s recent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy triumph, while in red-ball cricket, he totalled 182 runs with 92 being his highest in a Ranji Trophy game against Odisha a couple of months ago. Meanwhile, Mhatre has figured in just six first-class games, but has already smashed two centuries.
He was also impressive in the U-19 Asia Cup in UAE recently, scoring 176 in five games and claiming six wickets with his off-spin.
Raghuvanshi, the tall right-handed batsman, was India’s top run-getter with 278 in the 2022 U-19 World Cup triumph in the West Indies. He’s also had the Indian Premier League experience. A half-century in his debut IPL match for champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Delhi Capitals was part of his 163 runs in 10 games.
“I set short-term goals while trying to help my team win matches by performing well in every tournament I play. Like every cricketer, I also dream of representing India. Hopefully, I will… and win trophies,” Raghuvanshi told mid-day recently.
Mhatre, who scored his maiden first-class century (176) against Maharashtra in only his second Ranji Trophy game last October, revealed: “The first hundred is always special, but I was confident. I always try to play according to the situation. If the team need me to stay at the wicket and control myself [from playing shots], I can’t play a silly shot and throw away my wicket,” Mhatre had said. Behind the on-field grit there is hard work. Raghuvanshi remarked: “I believe in working hard. I used to run several rounds of the ground or do sprints, but one day Abhishek sir told me to climb a 30-floor building in a specific time. Such activities helped me a lot.”
What works in favour for these two right-handed batsmen is their maturity which compliments their potential and skills.
Consistency will be paramount and there is no better time than 2025 to show it.
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