India U19 captain Ayush Mhatre delivered a sensational performance in the Youth Test against England U19, smashing a record-breaking 64-ball century, though India ultimately fell short in a thrilling last-day chase.
Mhatre’s Blistering Hundred Stuns England
After a quiet patch in the ODI series, Ayush Mhatre returned to form with a bang in the Youth Test matches. Facing a daunting target of 355 runs on the final day, the 17-year-old stepped up when his team needed him most.
Mhatre unleashed a powerful display of batting, reaching his century in a mere 64 balls. This incredible feat marks it as the third-fastest Youth Test hundred ever recorded.
He continued his onslaught, finishing with an explosive 126 runs off just 80 deliveries. His innings was a spectacle, decorated with 13 fours and six towering sixes.
Shattering Brendon McCullum’s Record
Mhatre didn’t just score fast; he carved his name into the record books. He became only the second batter in Youth Test history, after New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum, to score over 200 runs in a match with a strike rate exceeding 100.
Remarkably, Mhatre’s strike rate of 121.17 was even higher than McCullum’s previous best of 108.41, set back in 2001. This achievement highlights the young Mumbaikar’s aggressive and impactful batting style.
Furthermore, Mhatre also broke the Indian Youth Test record for the most sixes in a single match, smashing nine maximums across his innings. This surpassed the previous record held by Manoj Tiwary.
India’s Valiant Last-Day Chase
Set a challenging 355, the Indian colts launched an all-out assault. Despite losing star batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a golden duck on the very first ball, they showed immense courage.
Alongside Mhatre’s heroics, wicket-keeper Abhigyan Kundu also played a blistering knock, contributing a quickfire 65 runs off just 46 balls. Their partnership kept India’s hopes alive.
The team raced to 290/6 in only 43 overs, needing just 65 more runs for an improbable victory. However, bad light unfortunately intervened, depriving them of the chance to complete a stunning heist.
Consistent Performer Across the Series
Mhatre’s Chelmsford century wasn’t an isolated incident. He also scored an impressive 80 off 90 balls in the first innings of this match. Earlier, he had already notched up another century in the first Youth Test in Beckenham.
Both Youth Test matches ultimately ended in draws, but Mhatre’s individual brilliance was a standout feature, promising a bright future for this young talent.
- Ayush Mhatre scored the third-fastest Youth Test century in history (64 balls).
- He broke Brendon McCullum’s Youth Test record for strike rate over 200 runs.
- Mhatre also set a new Indian Youth Test record for most sixes in a match (9).
- India U19’s thrilling chase fell short due to bad light, needing 65 runs.
Mhatre’s explosive performances throughout the series suggest he is a name to watch closely in the future of Indian cricket.
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