Ft. Ayush Mhatre, Gautam Gambhir
Record-Breaking Strikes in Youth Test Series
Indian cricket has witnessed some awe-inspiring performances at the U19 level, but few have displayed the kind of batting dominance shown by Ayush Mhatre and Gautam Gambhir in Youth Test series.
Ayush Mhatre: The New Benchmark
Fastest Century & Highest Strike Rate
- Historic Feat: Ayush Mhatre, captain of the India U19 team, set a new record by smashing a century off just 64 balls against England U19 during the second Youth Test in Chelmsford.
- Blistering Innings: He scored 126 off 80 balls (13 fours, six sixes), notching a strike rate of 157.50 in that knock and finishing the series with a staggering strike rate.
- Series Stats:
- Total Runs: 340
- Overall Strike Rate: 103.65 (First-ever to cross 100+ SR with 300+ runs in a Youth Test series)
- Centuries: 2 (including 102 off 115 in the first Test)
- Notable Achievement: Surpassed Brendon McCullum’s previous record of 95.58 SR (455 runs, 2000/01 vs South Africa U19)1.
Impact Moments
- Mhatre’s approach was fearless, launching an aggressive chase of 355 in the final Test, nearly steering India to a memorable win before rain intervened
- He also broke the Indian U19 record for most sixes in a series, with nine maximums
Gautam Gambhir: Youth Test Pioneer
- Memorable Series: Before his senior success, Gautam Gambhir was a star at U19 level.
- Series Stats:
- Total Runs: 331
- Strike Rate: 83.16
- Gambhir’s strike-filled youth exploits foreshadowed his success as a key opener for India at the international level
Best Strike Rates in Youth Test Series (Top 5)
| Rank | Player | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ayush Mhatre | 340 | 103.65 |
| 2 | Brendon McCullum | 455 | 95.58 |
| 3 | HT Dixon | 406 | 88.45 |
| 4 | Jordan Johnson | 358 | 85.44 |
| 5 | Gautam Gambhir | 331 | 83.16 |
Source: Youth cricket records, 2025 series
Conclusion
Ayush Mhatre’s explosive run-scoring has set a new standard for strike rate dominance in Youth Test cricket, eclipsing the historic marks set by greats like Gautam Gambhir and Brendon McCullum. His achievements highlight the evolution of aggressive, fearless batting in the youth circuit and hint at future stars ready to make their mark at senior levels.
