Follow UsIndian teenage and young adult batters have been sensational in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the cricket world has started taking notice of India’s enviable batting depth.
While 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi crossed the boundaries between reality and fiction and smashed a hundred in just 35 deliveries, becoming the youngest T20 centurion. Meanwhile, another teenager, the 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre from Mumbai, became the third youngest half-centurion in the league after falling short of a hundred by just six runs against RCB at the Chinnaswamy.
When asked to weigh in on their talent and performances, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming couldn’t stop himself from gushing over their game and also issued a warning to the U19 teams as they might have to face two batters in them whose skills and temperament have already been proven at such a high level of the game.
"It's extraordinary to watch that fearless approach. But you've got to have skills as well. And to have the skills that these young players have and to be able to execute them against some of the best bowlers in the world is quite remarkable,” Fleming said.
"It doesn't matter whether you're 14, 18, 21. The innings that we've seen being played, particularly by these two youngsters [Suryavanshi and Mhatre], is just top class. It shows maturity beyond their years, but it shows a skill set that is quite daunting, I think, particularly for bowlers around the world.
"I worry a little bit about the Under-19 opposition. They'll come up against two pretty handy openers when a World Cup comes around. But it's amazing how much talent and how composed they are."
Fleming also spoke on Mhatre and how he impressed him right from his trial earlier in the season, and the prospects of the youngster's future excite him.
"It's early days, but we have been very impressed with his skills right from when he trialled and was with us at the early part of the season,” CSK’s Kiwi coach said.
"We have enjoyed a lot of the shot play from young players in this tournament and we're delighted that we've got one ourselves. So, yes, excited about the future for him.”