SMAT 2025: CSK’s Ayush Mhatre Smashes Maiden T20 Century Off 49 Balls

It was the Ayush Mhatre show at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow today as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) youngster smashed his maiden T20 century to guide Mumbai to a thumping seven-wicket win over Vidarbha in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

Opening the batting, Mhatre delivered a memorable blitz as he hit an unbeaten 110 off just 53 balls to help Mumbai chase down 193 in 17.5 overs and extend their winning start to the competition. 

It was a boundary-fest from the bat of the CSK youngster as the 18-year-old amassed 80 off the 110 runs he scored via boundaries, hitting 8 fours and 8 sixes. The blitz from Mhatre came under some pressure too, as both Ajinkya Rahane (0) and Hardik Tamore (1) fell inside the first three overs of the chase. Eventually, Suryakumar Yadav (35 off 30 balls) and Shivam Dube (39* off 19 balls) provided ample support as the CSK youngster got the job done in style.

On the day for Mumbai, Dube took three wickets with the ball in hand as well, registering 3/31 as he bowled his full quota of 4 overs. For Vidarbha, Umesh Yadav (0/54) had a day to forget as he got hammered all over the park. 

This is a crucial season for Mhatre, who, after a breakout season in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) is keen to prove that he is the real deal and is here to stay. IPL 2025 saw the youngster score 240 runs in seven games at a strike rate of nearly 190. He was CSK’s best batter in the powerplay in the season, and did a great job of providing momentum up-front for the side.

With Sanju Samson roped in and with Urvil Patel also in fine form, Mhatre might need a very good SMAT 2025 to ensure that he continues to open for CSK in IPL 2026.