Watch: IPL 2026: 'Consider as God...'- Ayush Mhatre talks about Sachin Tendulkar's greatness ahead of CSK vs DC clash

The young opening batter of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Ayush Mhatre, has made a decent start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a fine half-century during the second fixture at home- the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai- against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), but he will be eager to make a bigger impact with the bat.

Ayush Mhatre, who came into the CSK franchise in 2025 as an injury replacement, clubbed 240 runs in seven innings at an average of 34.28 and a strike rate of 188.97 at the best score of 94 runs against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In 2026, he has nailed 74 runs in three innings. 

Ayush Mhatre reflects on meeting with Sachin Tendulkar

The U-19 World Cup-winning captain met Sachin Tendulkar around the second week of February this year, where the latter congratulated the opener on his U-19 success and gifted him the Test jersey from his final series as a token of appreciation.

Watch the video here: 

The meeting was followed by Mhatre’s successive campaign as a leader and batter in the U19 World Cup event. The right-handed batter called how the ‘god of cricket’ drew out the plans to tackle the swing of the balls.

“I consider Sachin Sir as God. I have spoken to him 2-3 times. If I face any difficulties, I talk to him, and he explains it to me in detail. He doesn’t explain it vaguely. He explains it to me in detail by drawing it out.” Mhatre said in a video.

“Like this is how the ball will be, this swing will be less, the swing will be bigger with the new ball. He explains it to me in detail, very clearly. And I still can’t believe that I have spoken to him two to three times. I am still living in that dream.” He addressed.

Ayush Mhatre makes decent start in IPL 2026

In the CSK’s very first game of the season against the Rajasthan Royals, Mhatre was dismissed for a golden duck as he was bounced out by a short ball into the hands of the wicket-keeper. In the second game, he smashed a dashing knock of 73 runs in just 43 balls at a strike rate of 169.77, smashing six boundaries and five sixes.

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However, he couldn’t continue the same dominance and skills against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Now, he hopes to get back in form against the Delhi Capitals (DC) for their next encounter.

Fans react to Mhatre’s comments on Tendulkar

Here is how the fans have reacted to Mhatre’s comments on Tendulkar on the social media platform-