Rohit Sharma Bonds with Young Stars Ayush Mhatre and Sarfaraz Khan in Mumbai Nets
Mumbai’s cricket scene got a heartwarming boost on Tuesday when Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma spent quality time with rising talents Ayush Mhatre and Test batter Sarfaraz Khan. The trio hit the nets together, sharing laughs and tips that highlight Rohit’s mentorship role in Indian cricket.
Ayush Mhatre and Sarfaraz couldn’t hold back their excitement. They posted fun Instagram stories showing off their moments with the ‘Hitman.’ Rohit even gifted Mhatre a signed bat, a gesture that left the young gun beaming. Sarfaraz, meanwhile, chatted away with Rohit while watching the action unfold in the nets.
Mhatre, the 18-year-old sensation, shared his gratitude on social media. "Not just a gift, but an inspiration. Thanks @rohitsharma45 Da," he captioned the post. It’s clear Rohit’s influence is firing up the next generation of Indian cricketers.
Mhatre’s star is on the rise after captaining India U19 in a thrilling series against England earlier this year. From June to July, India clinched the five-match ODI series 3-2 but settled for a draw in the two-Test series. While his ODIs were tough—he scored just 28 runs in five innings—Mhatre exploded in the Tests. He racked up 340 runs in four innings at an average of 85 and a strike rate over 103, including two centuries and a fifty.
In the first Test, Mhatre notched 102 and 32 as both games ended in draws. The second Test saw India chasing 355 and finishing at 290/6. Mhatre stole the show with a blazing 126 off 80 balls—13 fours and six sixes. His ton came off just 64 balls, making it the third-fastest in U19 Test history, behind Moeen Ali’s 56-ball effort and Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 58.
Back home, Mhatre shone for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024. In a tough season where CSK finished last, he scored 240 runs in seven matches at an average of 34.28 and a strike rate of 188.97. His highlights included a half-century and a best of 94, bringing fresh energy to CSK’s batting lineup with his youth and power-hitting.
Sarfaraz Khan, 27, has his own inspiring story. After grinding in domestic cricket for years, he debuted in Tests under Rohit against England in February. Since then, he’s smashed 371 runs in six Tests at an average of 37.10 and a strike rate of 74.94. That’s one century, three fifties, and a top score of 150 in 11 innings. His last home game was against New Zealand at Wankhede in November 2023.
Rohit Sharma, the legendary opener, stepped away from Test cricket in May, just before India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 tour of England. Over 2013-2025, he played 67 Tests, scoring 4,301 runs at 40.57 average with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His peak came as an opener from 2019-2024, where he became India’s top WTC run-scorer with 2,716 runs in 40 Tests at 41.15 average, including nine tons and eight fifties.
Now retired from T20Is and Tests alongside Virat Kohli, Rohit will return for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19. In ODIs, he’s an all-time great for India, with 11,168 runs in 273 matches at 48.76 average and 92.80 strike rate—32 centuries and 58 fifties. He ranks as India’s fourth-highest ODI run-getter.
Rohit loves playing Down Under too, boasting 1,328 runs in 30 ODIs at 53.12 average and over 90 strike rate, with five centuries, four fifties, and a best of 171 not out. Fans can’t wait to see the Hitman in action again as India gears up for more white-ball battles.
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