A Dream Meeting with a Cricketing Icon
Cricket is more than just runs and wickets. It’s about the moments that stay with you forever, and meeting an idol is one of those unforgettable experiences. For young batter Ayush Mhatre, this moment arrived when he had the chance to meet Rohit Sharma before his tour to England.
Mhatre has always looked up to the Mumbai-born star, having grown up watching him play. Interestingly, Mhatre even lost his Ranji Trophy spot to Rohit at one point, but his admiration for the Indian captain never faded. As he prepared for an important tour, he decided to seek the guidance of his idol.
Speaking on the Chennai Super Kings YouTube channel, Mhatre shared how a simple text message turned into a surreal meeting. Rohit not only replied but also called him directly:
“So I was about to go on the England tour, and I wanted to speak to him a bit. I messaged him. Then I said I wanted to meet him, so he called me directly. He called me from his side and said, ‘Tell me what you want to say.’ I told him that I am going on this tour and wanted to meet. He asked me, where do you stay? I said Virar. He said, ‘Will you come from Virar to meet me?’ I said yes, I can come anywhere to meet you, I just want to meet you.”
Rohit suggested a video call, but Mhatre insisted on meeting in person. The next day, he visited Rohit’s house.
He continued:
“It’s not like that, we can also talk on video. I said no; I want to meet you in person and talk. Then he gave me his home address, and I went to his house the next day. I spoke to him for at least 2 hours. I mean, it was crazy that he gave me so much time that’s a big thing for me. My idol gave me time so it was a dream day for me. I didn’t even realise how time passed, 2 hours went by. It felt really good talking to him.”
Impact on His Career
This meeting proved to be a turning point for Mhatre. Soon after, he embarked on an impressive tour of England, where he was part of the team that won the Youth ODI series 3-2 and the Youth Test series, where he scored 340 runs in four innings.
Mhatre had already made a name for himself earlier in the year when he played for Chennai Super Kings in his IPL debut in 2025 against the Mumbai Indians. He smashed 32 runs off just 15 balls and was retained by CSK, going on to score 240 runs and becoming an integral part of the Chennai side.
Rohit had also praised him after his IPL debut, telling him he could call him anytime. The meeting and the words of encouragement from Rohit clearly boosted Mhatre’s confidence.
A Memorable Moment
As Mhatre continues to develop as a promising cricketer, there may come a day when he faces his idol on the field. However, the two-hour meeting will remain a cherished memory in his career. It’s a moment that will always remind him of the power of dreams and the importance of perseverance.
For now, Mhatre can look back on this experience with pride, knowing that he had the opportunity to speak with one of his greatest inspirations and take valuable lessons from the encounter. It’s a story that highlights the deep connection between players and their idols, and how such moments can shape the future of young athletes.
