The spotlight can be a cruel thing, especially when you are the captain of the Indian cricket team, even at the Under-19 level. As the Boys in Blue prepare for a high-stakes clash against New Zealand in Bulawayo, all eyes are fixed on one man: skipper Ayush Mhatre. But instead of leading from the front, Mhatre seems to be fighting a lonely battle against his own form.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. Ayush Mhatre came into the tournament with a glowing reputation and a List A average of over 65. Yet, the reality has been harsh. After a decent warm-up knock, his bat has gone silent when it matters most. With scores of just 19 against the USA and a mere 6 against Bangladesh, the captain is looking less like a leader and more like a liability at the top. Critics argue Ayush Mhatre is falling into a "T20 trap," trying to blast his way out of trouble on pitches that demand patience and respect.
However, amidst the captain’s struggles, a new star is rising. The team has shown incredible resilience, largely thanks to the 14-year-old wonderkid, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. When the top order crumbled against Bangladesh, it was young Vaibhav who stood tall, smashing a brilliant 72 to rescue the side. His fearlessness proves that this Indian side has the firepower to win, even if their captain is misfiring.
Now, facing a desperate New Zealand side in a must-win scenario, the clock is ticking for Ayush Mhatre. The Kiwis are hungry after two washouts, and the Bulawayo pitch will test India’s openers early on. For India to go all the way, they don't just need a captain who calls the toss correctly; they need their skipper to finally wake up.
