In the world of sports, it is common for younger players to be compared with one another. But sometimes a voice of reason breaks through the noise, reminding us of the importance of individuality, patience, and personal growth. The best thing a young athlete can hear in this situation is: "Just be yourself."

That's exactly what Ayush Mhatre's father told him. Speaking to Mid Day, he shared how he guided Ayush by saying not to feel pressured by comparisons, especially with fellow cricketers like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

In IPL 2025, we have witnessed the emergence of the two brilliant young talents- Ayush Mhatre of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (RR). Both have performed brilliantly with the bat and stunned IPL fans and experts.

The 17-year-old right-handed batter was brought into the CSK squad during the midseason as a replacement for the injured former skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Right from his debut match, Mhatre contributed to the team with the bat with decent scores of 32 and 30, respectively. It was the recent event when he showed the nation his potential by hitting 94 runs off 48 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the crucial time of the match for Chennai.

His innings is packed with boundaries where he hit nine fours and five sixes. These crucial runs came in a crisis situation during CSK's 214-run chase, supported by a 114-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.

On the other hand, the 14-year-old Vaibhav was picked up by RR for INR 1.1 crore in the IPL auction. He hammered a 35-ball century innings against the Gujarat Titans and made a record of the youngest centurion in T20 history, and also the fastest Indian to reach a hundred in the IPL.

Yogesh Mhatre Advised His Son, Ayush, To Stay Focused On the Game And Ignore Unnecessary Comparisons With Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Till now, Mhatre has scored 163 runs with the bat in four innings at an average of 40.75 with a strike rate of 185.22. Despite Mhatre's success, his father advised him not to imitate Vaibhav Suryavanshi and to stay grounded and remain true to his individuality, as both of them are very different batters.

"I've told Ayush that he and Vaibhav are two very different batsmen, and that if someone compares him with Vaibhav, he should not dwell on it. I have also told him not to try to imitate Vaibhav or aim to score a century like him. I believe there is absolutely no need for Ayush to put any pressure on himself or try to achieve something big prematurely. He has a long way to go," Mhatre's father was quoted as saying by the Mid-Day.

In a world where everyone is running for quick success, these words are a reminder that growth and success take time. Ayush's father believes his son doesn't need to prove anything too soon.

It's very easy for young players to get distracted and feel they must match someone else's achievements. But this type of thinking can lead to stress and self-doubt. Instead of this, focusing on and improving the game will help the player in the long run.

This message isn't just for Ayush. It's for all young athletes and their families. Every player has a unique approach to playing, there's no need to copy or rush others. Because in the end, the best players aren't the ones who try to be like someone else, they're the ones who stay true to themselves.