Young Chennai Super Kings batter Ayush Mhatre has credited MS Dhoni for playing a key role in shaping his leadership approach, revealing how the veteran’s advice influenced him during his stint as India U-19 captain. Mhatre, who recently led India to a title-winning campaign at the U-19 World Cup, described his interaction with Dhoni as a turning point in his development.

Recalling his time during the IPL 2025 season, Mhatre said he approached Dhoni for guidance on captaincy. The former India skipper advised him to remain calm under pressure and avoid making decisions in moments of anger. According to Mhatre, Dhoni emphasised that frustration during opposition partnerships is natural, but composure and patience are key to making better on-field decisions.

The youngster also spoke about fulfilling his dream of representing Chennai Super Kings, one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. He described the experience of sharing the dressing room with players like Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shivam Dube as surreal, noting that he had only watched them on television before joining the team.

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Despite being new to the setup, Mhatre said he quickly felt comfortable within the CSK environment, crediting the team’s culture for making him feel at home. He highlighted the camaraderie among teammates and described the franchise as functioning like a family, which helped him settle in without pressure.

Speaking about his role, Mhatre emphasised flexibility, stating that he is willing to bat at any position as required by the team. He also acknowledged the evolving nature of modern cricket, where aggressive play has become more prominent even in longer formats, and expressed his intent to continue playing with confidence while contributing to the team’s success.

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