Ayush Mhatre, the rising batting talent from Mumbai, shared an emotional tribute after receiving a signed bat from India’s ODI skipper Rohit Sharma. As Mhatre gears up to lead the India U-19 side on their tour to England, the young batter took to Instagram to express his gratitude. The post featured a photograph with Rohit, in which the teenager holds the autographed bat close, a quiet smile marking the occasion. Mhatre's caption says: “A bat, a blessing, and a memory of a lifetime — thank you Rohit da." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayush Mhatre (@ayush_m255) The gesture from the veteran opener comes just days before the U-19 squad departs for England on June 24. The month-long tour will include five Youth ODIs and two multi-day matches against the England U-19 team, concluding on July 23. Read also: Ben Stokes Questions Relevance of World Test Championship Ayush's adoration for Ro since ages Mhatre, who has already garnered national attention after a breakthrough IPL 2025 campaign with Chennai Super Kings, has long idolised Rohit. The two shared a dressing room earlier this year during a Ranji Trophy fixture between Mumbai and Jammu & Kashmir. Rohit, making a rare domestic appearance, was drafted into the XI in place of Mhatre. Yet, the younger batter viewed the moment as an honour rather than a setback. Reflecting on that match, Mhatre wrote, “Started playing cricket by watching him bat on television to sharing a dressing room with my idol was such an unreal moment. Lots of learning to take forward.” The 38-year-old Rohit has recently announced his retirement from Test cricket and is currently on a break. His next appearance will be during India’s white-ball tour of Australia later this year. For Mhatre, though, the signed bat represents more than memorabilia—it marks an early milestone in a career still in its infancy, one shaped by the player he grew up admiring. As the U-19 tour nears, the young captain carries not only responsibility but a tangible reminder of the faith his hero has placed in him