Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach and current Mumbai’s Under-19 coach Dinesh Lad has showered praise on young Ayush Mhatre. Lad likened the youngster with Rohit Sharma and said Mhatre plays in the same manner as the former MI captain.

The 17-year-old made an impressive IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings, scoring a quickfire knock of 32 runs off just 15 balls against Mumbai Indians before he was dismissed by Deepak Chahar.

“He is very confident like Rohit and extremely positive as well, which was certainly visible in his knock against MI. Rohit used to play in the same manner back when he was 15 as Ayush is playing right now,” Lad told Times of India.

Lad said that the youngster has insatiable hunger for runs and it has played a key role in helping him rise through the ranks.

“I noted Ayush’s talent and fluid stroke play when we first met back when he was 10 years old. He was very particular about coming on time even then, despite travelling from Nala Sopara, which is very far from Mumbai. Another aspect which shines through about Ayush is his hunger to get big runs, which has been a factor behind his rapid growth,” he added.

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni also heaped praise on the youngster after his eye-catching IPL debut on Sunday.

“I think as a youngster he batted really well, and that’s the kind of approach that is needed where you play your shots and at the same time you pick your shots that is your strength and I feel right from the start, he went and played his shots and we also haven’t seen him much. So, it is a good sign for us at the top of the order that if he can keep playing the shots, it will become slightly easier for the middle and lower order,” Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday.