From Family Support to CSK Glory: Ayush Mhatre & Shaik Rasheed’s Journey

Two New Faces in CSK, Two Very Different Roads

Ayush Mhatre and Shaik Rasheed might be new names in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad, but their stories are anything but typical. Both players took very different roads to the IPL — one from the outskirts of Mumbai, the other from Andhra Pradesh’s cricketing circuits.

What connects them isn’t just a jersey. It’s family.

Their dreams weren’t self-made — they were built on relentless sacrifices, early alarms, packed trains, and unshaken belief.

Ayush Mhatre: 80 km a Day, Two Practices, One Grandfather

Name: Ayush Mhatre
Age: 17
Location: Virar, Mumbai
CricHeroes Profile: View Ayush’s Stats

Ayush’s journey began at age six. Cricket wasn’t just a sport — it was the goal. To chase that dream, he enrolled at Don Bosco School in Matunga and trained at the Dilip Vengsarkar Academy.

But there was a catch — Matunga was 40 km away from home.

Every single day, Ayush travelled: Virar → Matunga → Churchgate → back to Virar.

Who made that possible? His grandfather, Laxmikant Naik.

Laxmikant drove him to school and practised daily. Waited. Drove him back. No driver, no carpool — just belief, patience, and silent strength.

Ayush’s family didn’t just support him. They built his foundation.

Shaik Rasheed: A Father Who Gave Up Everything

Name: Shaik Rasheed
Age: 20
Location: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
CricHeroes Profile: View Rasheed’s Stats

Shaik Rasheed’s cricketing foundation came from someone equally committed — his father, Shaik Balisha Vali.

Vali had a steady job in banking. But when it came to Rasheed’s cricket dreams, he made a choice: quit the job and go all in. To fund his son’s journey, he started selling fruits. He travelled 40 km daily, paying for match fees, kits, and training expenses.

Rasheed trained at ACA Academy under coaches Krishna Rao and AG Prasad. His growth was consistent, quiet, and focused on technique. At 11, he was selected for the Durham Cricket Academy in the UK. Later, he became vice-captain of India’s U-19 World Cup squad in 2022.

In 2025, Rasheed made his IPL debut — opening for CSK, becoming the youngest to do so.

Quiet Performances That Spoke Loud

Ayush Mhatre's Numbers

• 181 in Vijay Hazare Trophy* – youngest player to score 150+ in men’s List A
  
• 2 Ranji centuries before age 18
  
• 458 runs in 7 List A games at a strike rate of 135.5

Ayush plays fearless, smart cricket. He doesn’t need the spotlight. His bat does the talking.

Shaik Rasheed’s Numbers

• 94 in U-19 World Cup semi-final vs Australia
  
• 2 first-class centuries
  
• Renowned for technical shot selection and composed innings-building

Rasheed is the calm anchor — a batter with poise under pressure. His strength is in the basics.

From Local Matches to the IPL

This is what makes cricket beautiful. It’s not just about stadium lights and viral sixes — it’s about stories like these. Real journeys. Real sacrifices. Real results.

Ayush and Rasheed weren’t always on screens. They weren’t always in team meetings or pre-match hype videos.
But they were there — in the scorecards, in the match logs, on CricHeroes.

Their local games, school tournaments, and early tournaments were tracked. Their progress was consistent, match by match.

You can view Ayush Mhatre’s profile & Shaik Rasheed’s profile on CricHeroes.

Wondering if local matches actually matter?
They do.

Every innings counts. Every spell builds momentum.
And with platforms like CricHeroes — no performance goes unnoticed.

Your cricket matters. Always has. Always will.

More Than Just Debuts — A Family’s Victory

When Ayush and Rasheed stepped onto the field in CSK yellow, it wasn’t just their achievement.

It was a thank you to the families who supported them through every rough patch.

From train rides to fruit carts, from practice sessions to heartbreaks — these debuts are built on sacrifice.

CSK got two incredible players. But behind those players are two incredible families.

Congratulations, Ayush & Rasheed

You didn’t just make it to the IPL.

You earned it — the hard way.

To every grandfather waking up at 4 AM, to every father selling fruit to buy a bat — this one’s for you.

Here’s to more boundaries, more milestones, and more belief.

Welcome to the biggest league.
Welcome to the yellow army.

Conclusion: Backed by Belief, Built for Greatness

Ayush Mhatre and Shaik Rasheed are not just stories of cricketing success — they’re reminders of what quiet support and relentless consistency can achieve.

Cricket might be an individual game. But every run here was powered by more than a bat — it was powered by love, belief, and unshakable family support.

FAQs

Who is Ayush Mhatre?
A 17-year-old top-order batsman from Virar, Mumbai. Known for explosive batting and big scores in domestic cricket. Recently debuted for CSK in IPL 2025.

Who is Shaik Rasheed?
A 20-year-old opener from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Former vice-captain of India’s U-19 World Cup team, now part of CSK’s playing XI.

How did Ayush train for professional cricket?
He travelled 80 km daily for school and cricket practice, fully supported by his grandfather.

What did Rasheed’s father sacrifice?
He left his job at a bank, started selling fruits, and supported Rasheed’s cricket with full commitment — financially and emotionally.

Will these players be long-term assets for CSK?
Absolutely. Their discipline, performance, and strong foundation make them ideal long-term prospects for Chennai Super Kings.