CSK vs RCB: Ayush Mhatre ‘better than' Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Ayush Mhatre, 17, illuminated the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening with a breathtaking 91 off 45 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and before the last ball was even delivered, social media was already agog with comparisons.

His authoritative innings for Chennai Super Kings has now set tongues wagging online: Is Ayush Mhatre the superior teen sensation over Rajasthan Royals’ 14-year-old wonder kid Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

The similarities between them are difficult to miss. They are both teenage openers, both established themselves in the IPL 2025, and both wore the India jersey at this year’s U19 Asia Cup-ironically opening the team together. Yet in the recent weeks, they have each claimed a niche for themselves.

Vaibhav pulverized a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans to become the youngest IPL half-centurion at 14 years and 32 days. But Ayush’s measured dismantling of the RCB bowling unit has now given a depth to the discussion.

Twitter went wild with reactions, numbers, and tearful hot takes from enthusiasts attempting to settle the argument.

“Ayush Mhatre picks balls for play shots and honors good balls, while Vaibhav attacks each ball in an over. This is the difference between Ayush and Vaibhav,” wrote Saurabh Jaiswal, encapsulating what numerous analysts repeated during the telecast.

Youngest IPL half-centurions

14y 32d – Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR) vs GT, 2025
17y 175d – Riyan Parag (RR vs DC, 2019
17y 291d – Ayush Mhatre (CSK) vs RCB, 2025*
18y 169d – Sanju Samson (RR) vs RCB, 2013
18y 169d – Prithvi Shaw (DC) vs KKR, 2018
The previous youngest for CSK was… pic.twitter.com/7h0BSQLC67
— Om Yadav (@OmYadav87415088) May 3, 2025

Unpopular opinion:

Ayush Mhatre’s innings >>> Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s innings. 🫡🔥

#IPL2025 #CSKvsRCB
— The Investor Lens (@logical_traderr) May 3, 2025