18-year-old Ayush Mhatre, captain of India’s Under-19 cricket team, has etched his name in the history books by breaking a remarkable 24-year-old record held by none other than Brendon McCullum — the current head coach of England’s national side. This achievement came during the second Youth Test match between India U-19 and England U-19, where Mhatre’s aggressive and fearless batting stunned fans and statisticians alike.

Brendon McCullum had set the benchmark back in 2001 when, at the age of 19, he scored 232 runs in 214 balls across both innings of a Youth Test against South Africa. His blistering strike rate of 108.41 stood as the highest for any batter scoring 200 or more runs in a Youth Test match. That was until Mhatre came along.

In the second Youth Test, Ayush Mhatre showcased his dominance with the bat, first scoring 80 runs off 90 balls in the first innings, followed by an explosive 126 off just 80 deliveries in the second. His total of 206 runs came off just 170 balls, giving him an extraordinary combined strike rate of 121.17 — comfortably eclipsing McCullum’s long-standing record.

Mhatre’s fearless approach, maturity beyond his years, and leadership as captain mark him as a bright future star for Indian cricket. His ability to perform under pressure and maintain such an aggressive tempo throughout both innings highlights his rare blend of skill and temperament.

While McCullum went on to become a pioneer of aggressive Test cricket and a revered figure in world cricket, Ayush Mhatre’s record-breaking feat is a signal that the next generation is not only ready—but rewriting the standards set before them.