Priyansh Arya and Ayush Mhatre (BCCI/IPL Photo)
CHENNAI: The new generation of top-order batsmen, with their bold style, have been hogging the limelight recently in the Indian Premier League. While 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has emerged as the poster boy for this generation of Gen Z, he is not the lone ranger.
Two more young Willows come into the picture as serious contenders for bigger things in the future.During Punjab Kings’ five-goal win over Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday, it was a story of two youngsters – Priyansh Arya and Aayush Mhatre. While 18-year-old Mhatre, with his smart play, powered CSK to 209 with a 43-ball 73, 24-year-old Arya launched the PBKS chase in style. The opener’s whirlwind 39 off just 11 balls, at a staggering strike rate of 354.5, took the match out of CSK’s hands early.
Both made their debuts last year and enjoyed breakout seasons.
Now, in their second IPL campaign, they have started brightly enough to attract the attention of former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who heaped praise on the “Gen Z players who provided a batting celebration”.“Both of them (Arya and Mhatre) batted brilliantly. The way these Gen Z batsmen played, they are changing our mentality. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing their batting.
“I also expect more Gen Z bowlers to emerge, and I want more new bowlers to emerge,” Ashwin said.
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Former CSK player Ashwin felt Mhatre’s knock at No.3 and the shots he played were the silver lining in the five-time champions’ defeat to PBKS, amid a season already filled with early struggles for CSK.“The way Mhatre batted, this has to be the happiest news and a big positive for CSK. Over the next 10 years, they have found a champion player.
CSK did not get him in the auction, they signed him as an injury replacement. “He showed what he can do, and the way he played and pulled Marko Janssen to the boundary, it was amazing,” Ashwin added.Arya’s mental toughness helps PBKSDuring his attack on CSK, Arya operated with the freedom of knowing there was batting depth to back him up. Hence, he swung at everything that came his way with fearless intent, and even perished while trying to achieve big goals.
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Talking about his young colleague, Shashank Singh said that it is Arya’s “strong mentality” that sets him apart. “With Priyansh, what we really liked as a team last year is that he is very mentally strong. He knows his role. He knows the areas where he can score. He is very young but the way he has matured in terms of his batting is fantastic,” Shashank said.