Chennai Super Kings' emerging talent, Ayush Mhatre, has publicly acknowledged the profound influence of Mumbai Indians legend Rohit Sharma on his career, citing the former India captain as his childhood idol and mentor. Mhatre, who featured for CSK in the IPL 2025 season, highlighted Rohit's exceptional batting technique and, more importantly, his patient and supportive demeanor off the field.
Mhatre revealed a close bond with Rohit, explaining that he feels comfortable calling the veteran cricketer anytime for advice. He praised Rohit for taking the time to explain things calmly and never rushing the conversation, a gesture that has deeply resonated with the young batter. This mentorship is crucial for Mhatre, who is currently captaining the India U-19 team and is considered one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket.
Having been signed by CSK after initially going unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, Mhatre's aggressive mindset proved valuable for the franchise. His development, guided by the wisdom of a player of Rohit Sharma's stature, signals a bright future for the young CSK recruit as he prepares for the upcoming IPL season.
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“Rohit Sharma is my favorite cricketer because I have been watching his batting since my childhood. The way he behaves, both on and off the field, really stands out. Whenever I go to talk to him, he speaks very calmly and takes his time explaining things to me.”
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The former Indian captain and 2024 T20 World Cup winner has been conferred with the Padma Shri. His leadership and explosive batting have been central to India’s dominance in the shorter formats over the last decade.
His most notable knock at the venue came in 2023 against New Zealand, when he scored a commanding 101 off 85 balls, helping India secure a 90-run victory.
Rohit has a stunning record in ODI cricket at the aforementioned venue. In three ODIs, he has amassed 288 runs at an average of 62.66 and a strike rate of 107.42. He has registered two half-centuries in his three ODI appearances in Rajkot.

“Rohit Sharma is my favorite cricketer because I have been watching his batting since my childhood. The way he behaves, both on and off the field, really stands out. Whenever I go to talk to him, he speaks very calmly and takes his time explaining things to me.”