India U19 skipper Ayush Mhatre produced a composed yet attacking century on Day 1 of the opening Youth Test against England at the Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. The 17-year-old scored 102 off just 115 balls, giving India a solid foundation after being asked to bat first on a tricky surface. Mhatre opened the innings with Vaibhav Suryavanshi, but the partnership was short-lived, ending at 17 when Suryavanshi departed for 14. Unfazed, Mhatre built a crucial 173-run stand with No. 3 batter Vihaan Malhotra, who contributed a steady 67 off 99 deliveries. The duo steered India out of early jitters with calm heads and sharp stroke selection. Mhatre’s ton came in style — a lofted drive over mid-off off Archie Vaughan, marking his maiden century in youth Tests. That boundary, notably against the son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, quickly went viral on social media platforms. Mhatre’s knock included 14 boundaries and two sixes, balancing elegance and aggression. Ayush Mhatre brought up his Century with a Boundary. Had a rough limited over series but Got his 100 in the first innings itself.💛 pic.twitter.com/Tf3GsjmG1K — ` (@4everCSK) July 12, 2025 Read also: Akash Deep smacks Archer for six, dismissed after DRS drama Dismissed after century, Mhatre builds on IPL breakthrough The teenager’s innings ended in the 38th over, when Vaughan found redemption by dismissing him shortly after the milestone. It was a crucial breakthrough for England, as Mhatre looked set to go bigger. Notably, this innings came after a modest showing in the four youth ODIs, where Mhatre managed just 27 runs. His rise, however, has been steady. The left-hander grabbed headlines during IPL 2025 while playing for Chennai Super Kings. Signed mid-season as a replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre delivered 240 runs from 7 matches, including a 94-run blitz, at a strike rate of 188.97. Mhatre’s composed knock in red-ball cricket now shows his adaptability. While the match continues, his Day 1 effort remains the standout performance for India’s youth side.