You'll come from Virar? CSK's Ayush Mhatre relives emotional Rohit Sharma meet
India U19 captain Ayush Mhatre recalled his dream meeting with Rohit Sharma at his residence and explained how the former Indian skipper spent two hours just chatting to him. Mhatre met with Rohit ahead of the England tour last year.
It is no secret that Ayush Mhatre adores Rohit Sharma and considers the MI legend to be his idol. This was evident from the time he penned an emotional note to Rohit after losing spot to the former India captain during a Ranji Trophy game. Before going to a tour of England last year, Mhatre went to meet Rohit and was gifted a bat by the former Indian skipper.
Mhatre, who plays for MI's arch-rivals CSK, has now recalled meeting Rohit at his home before the England tour. Speaking on CSK's YouTube channel, the India U19 skipper said how he sent a simple message to Rohit, asking for a meetup.
Mhatre remembered how Rohit offered to meet him whenever he needed help after his first IPL outing for CSK last season against MI. The young batter decided to take the offer up and sent Rohit a message asking for a meetup.
Mhatre said that Rohit called him and was even surprised to see the youngster ready to make the trip from Virar to meet him before the England tour.
"So I was about to go on the England tour, and I wanted to speak to him a bit. I messaged him. Then I said I wanted to meet him, so he directly called me himself. He called me from his side and said, tell me what you want to say. I told him that I am going on this tour and wanted to meet. He asked me, where do you stay? I said Virar. He said, will you come from Virar to meet me? I said yes, I can come anywhere to meet you, I just want to meet you," said Mhatre.
'MY IDOL GAVE ME TIME'
Mhatre recalled how he insisted to Rohit that he wanted to meet him and spent two hours at his residence. The youngster called it a dream day for him.
"He said it’s not like that, we can also talk on video. I said no, I want to meet you personally and talk. Then he gave me his home address and I went to his house the next day. I spoke to him for at least 2 hours. I mean, it was crazy that he gave me so much time, that’s a big thing for me. My idol gave me time, so it was a dream for me, a dream day. I didn’t even realise how time passed, 2 hours went by. It felt really good talking to him," said Mhatre.
Mhatre went on to win the U-19 World Cup with India this year but made a lacklustre start to his IPL 2026 campaign. Rohit, on the other hand, roared back to form against KKR to start MI's campaign with a win.
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