Scouting Report: Who is Mumbai City's young forward Ayush Chhikara?

Ayush Chhikara garnered attraction after scoring three goals in the 2024 Super Cup.

Mumbai City FC, one of the ISL‘s biggest giants, are famous for nurturing young talents. Apuia, Vikram Partap Singh, and Gurkirat Singh are some of the standout young players who have emerged brilliantly in the last couple of seasons.

Among them is another future prospect, Ayush Chhikara. Hailing from Haryana, the 21-year-old made headlines after his magnificent display in the Kalinga Super Cup earlier this year, where he scored a brace against Punjab and a goal against Gokulam Kerala FC. Although he has rarely started in the ISL, he is still a future wonder kid to keep in mind for the league’s future.

Scouting Report

Career and Performances

Originating from Haryana, Ayush’s footballing journey commenced with the Reliance Foundation Young Champs before Mumbai City FC secured his services in October 2020. A loan spell at Sudeva Delhi in the 2020-21 season was followed by a setback—a year-long injury hiatus.

Making a resilient return, the 20-year-old forward marked his debut for the Islanders in the 2022 Durand Cup. Ayush’s brilliance shone during Mumbai City FC’s triumphant league campaign, securing the Indian Super League Shield 2022-23 in record-breaking fashion. His noteworthy contributions extended to the 2023 Super Cup, where he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC. Despite limited game-time in the current ISL season, Chhikara has excelled with three goals in the recently concluded Kalinga Super Cup, affirming his promising trajectory.

Playing Style

Ayush Chhikara, categorised in the ‘Fox in the Box’ type of strikers, is celebrated for his inventive and offensive playing style, particularly excelling in finding the net within the opponent’s penalty area. Evident in his first goal against Punjab FC during the Kalinga Super Cup, Chhikara demonstrated a clinical finishing ability, skillfully beating the goalkeeper on the near side. 

While the young forward exhibits remarkable talents, there’s room for refinement in his set-piece execution and headers, aspects of his game that can evolve with experience. Despite being in the budding stages of his career, Chhikara would benefit from honing a quick scanning ability of the playing area and seamlessly integrating with Mumbai City FC’s tactical framework, ensuring a well-rounded contribution to the team’s dynamic gameplay and future successes.

Future Potential

Ayush Chhikara stands out not only as a prolific goal-scorer but also for his commendable defensive contributions, showcasing a rare blend of offensive prowess and a willingness to track back and support the team defensively. While there are areas of improvement in his game, especially considering his young age, Chhikara’s dedication and hard work signal a promising future.

To unlock his full potential, it is crucial that he is provided with ample facilities and opportunities to refine his skills. With the right support, Chhikara has the potential to emerge as a formidable player in the years to come.

His recent performances have caught the eye, and should he maintain this level of dedication, a significant career advancement seems imminent. The possibility of earning an invitation to the national camp or securing a spot in the current Mumbai City FC starting XI is not far-fetched. 

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.