Ayush Vartak – Mumbai’s youngster Shines in National Tournaments with Bat and Ball

In the heart of India’s competitive domestic cricket circuit, a young cricketer from Mumbai is quietly making a loud statement. Ayush Vartak, a 20-year-old all-rounder, has been turning heads with a string of outstanding performances in both the COL C.K. Nayudu Trophy and the Cooch Behar Trophy 2023.

C.K. Nayudu Trophy 2024: A Batting Masterclass

Ayush  enjoyed a phenomenal campaign in the COL C.K. Nayudu Trophy 2024, emerging as the highest run-scorer for Mumbai and 6th highest across India, amassing a staggering 770 runs at an average of 65. His consistency, maturity, and flair with the bat elevated him to the Vice-Captaincy of the Mumbai U-23 team—a role he embraced with distinc

192 vs Madhya Pradesh – A marathon knock that set the tone for Mumbai’s dominance.

102 vs Hyderabad – A solid century against a strong bowling attack.

100 vs Delhi – Another ton underlined his ability to perform against big teams.

32 & 54 vs Maharashtra – Played crucial rescue knocks when Mumbai was reeling at 120/5 and 30/5 respectively, showcasing his temperament and grit.

77 vs Punjab (Final) – Delivered when it mattered most, playing a key innings in the championship clash.

His performances with the bat throughout the tournament positioned him as one of Mumbai’s key pillars, guiding the team through high-pressure situations and contributing significantly to their journey to the finals.

 

Cooch Behar Trophy 2023: The All-Round Domination

Ayush’s impact was not limited to batting alone. In the Cooch Behar Trophy 2023, representing the Mumbai U-19 team, he emerged as a genuine all-rounder finishing as Mumbai’s highest wicket-taker and 9th overall across India. .

Bowling Performance:

Total wickets: 32

Best Figures:

5/72 vs Punjab

5/54 vs Uttar Pradesh

3/44 & 3/24 vs Vidarbha

3/24 & 4/37 vs Tripura

3/53 & 4/30 vs Chandigarh

His ability to consistently pick wickets across matches made him a crucial asset in Mumbai’s bowling attack, regularly breaking partnerships and turning games in his team’s favor.

Batting Performance:

Runs: 270 | Average: 40

Key knocks:

73 vs Karnataka (Final) – A high-pressure knock in the tournament decider.

56 vs Chandigarh*

51 vs Tripura*

These performances reflect Ayush’s capability to rise to the occasion, contributing with the bat when the team needed stability and runs lower down the order.

Ranji Camp Recognition & Sarfaraz Khan Breakthrough

Such consistent performances earned Ayush a call-up to the Mumbai Ranji Trophy Camp in Bangalore in 2024. In a significant highlight from the camp, he dismissed Sarfaraz Khan twice in intra-squad match simulations  a statement moment that shows he can trouble even the best domestic batters in India.

Local Circuit Fireworks

Ayush has also been making waves in Mumbai’s elite local tournaments, with jaw-dropping performances in both red and white-ball formats:

215 (175 balls), 14 sixes vs Jain Irrigation in the Times Shield “A” Division

108 (45 balls), 9 sixes in the Talim Shield tournament

These innings not only show his aggressive batting abilities but also reinforce his all-round match-winning capability.

A Talent on the Rise

Ayush Vartak’s consistent all-round showings over two high-level domestic tournaments position him as one of the most promising young cricketers to emerge from Mumbai in recent years. His ability to absorb pressure, anchor innings, and deliver breakthroughs with the ball makes him a complete package and a strong contender for higher-level selections.

As selectors and franchises look toward fresh domestic talent, Ayush’s performances are bound to attract attention, and if his current form is anything to go by, he’s on the right track to becoming a future star for Mumbai and potentially for India.