IPL 2025: Virender Sehwag praises Ayush Mhatre’s team spirit after CSK’s narrow loss to RCB

When Ayush Mhatre of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) attempted a huge shot while batting on 94 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a recent IPL 2025 match, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag claimed that Mhatre was more concerned about the team’s circumstances than reaching a personal milestone.

On Saturday, May 3, during the run chase at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the up-and-coming opener played a spectacular innings.

After losing two wickets in quick succession during the powerplay, Mhatre and Ravindra Jadeja kept CSK’s hopes alive in the run chase. The young batter swiftly reached his first fifty and continued playing to maintain the required run rate.

After Rajat Patidar dropped him in the 16th over, Mhatre reached the nineties. Following a single by Jadeja off the first ball, Mhatre attempted to take on Lungi Ngidi, as CSK needed 43 runs from the final four overs. He tried to play across the line against the South African pacer’s slower delivery.

“Agar wo apne sau ka soch rahe hote” – Sehwag praises Mhatre for prioritizing the team

The opening batter was slightly deceived, failing to connect with the sweet spot of the bat and instead striking the toe end. This prevented him from achieving the desired elevation. Krunal Pandya made a fantastic catch in the deep, denying Mhatre a memorable maiden hundred.

The suggestion that Mhatre was trying to reach his century in style was not fully accepted by Virender Sehwag, who stated that the circumstances and the type of ball forced him to play that shot.

"He played according to the ball that was bowled to him. He missed his shot; otherwise, it was a delivery that should have been struck for a six. Had the cutter found the middle of the bat, it would have certainly been a six. But this is the trend these days—every batter wants to bring up their fifty or hundred with a six.

Agar voh apna sau ke baare mei soch rahe hote, toh definitely woh shot to nahi khelte (If he was thinking about his hundred, he would have definitely not played that shot). So, it’s clear he wanted to get a boundary early in the over, which is why he attempted the shot," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

Mhatre’s aggressive strokeplay brought much-needed energy to CSK’s struggling top order, albeit too late. During his maiden IPL matches earlier this season, he showcased significant potential with impactful cameos at the top.

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