Ayush Mhatre breaks McCullum’s U-19 test record that stood for 18 years

India’s Under-19 cricket captain Ayush Mhatre is enjoying a dream-run leading the national team in the Youth Test Series against England. In the second test of the series, Mhatre scored 129 runs in just 80 balls with 13 fours and 6 sixes, taking only 64 balls to reach the 100-run mark.

Scoring centuries in the both tests of the series, he clocked 340 runs at a strike rate of 103.66. This has etched his name in the record books for scoring over 300 runs with the strike rate of over 100, a record that belonged to Kiwi batting sensation Brendon McCullum for 18 years, the man currently coaching the England men’s test team and former captain of his national side.

Mhatre, who was given a tour of the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground along with the U-19 team, said he really can’t wait for the day to come, when he imagines himself coming out to bat at the historic venue.

“After seeing all of this, I can’t wait for the day when I can come here to play. I will never be able to forget this day. It will always be in my mind that I want to play at the Lord’s. I have watched the stadium only on TV before,” said Mhatre in a video posted by BCCI's website on Thursday.

The right-handed opener also got to celebrate his 18th birthday at Lord’s. “It’s a very special day for me that my birthday is celebrated at Lord’s and my cake cutting was also done at the venue. There will never be a bigger moment in my life, but this biggest moment feels very special. I feel very motivated and feel like I wanna come here and bat anytime,” he added.

The India-England Youth Test series concluded 0-0 as both tests were drawn.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)