Why CSK is the place to be for youngsters despite limited game time

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has become a formidable side in just under two decades of Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket. With five IPL titles under their belt, many fans would expect the team to field only experienced veterans in their lineup. However, that’s not always the case.

CSK continues to attract many youngsters through its doors as a hub for top talent across departments. Let’s explore why the IPL 2023 champions continue to encourage and support recruits in different ways for career success.

Why is CSK the Place to Be for Youngsters?

Chances with the first team

Several young players have made their break in professional cricket through CSK’s identification of talent. For example, an injury to skilled pacer Deepak Chahar opened a window of opportunity for skilled left-arm pace bowler Mukesh Choudhary in the first team.

At the time, Mukesh was a recruit with a ₹ 20 lakh price tag. He went on to prove himself throughout that season, featuring in 13 games for CSK.

Here’s what Mukesh had to say about his chances in that season:

“I never thought I’ll play for Chennai Super Kings anytime because CSK is like more for experienced players. I was new. But unfortunately, Deepak got injured and I got a chance. First few games didn’t go according to the plan but slowly I gained confidence and got wickets,”

Respect for in-form players

Deepak Chahar returned stronger from his injury spell and Tushar Deshpande has been firing on all cylinders for CSK, limiting the chances of younger talents. However, Mukesh Choudhary respects CSK’s pecking order hierarchy and aims to return to action soon.  

The cricketer suffered an injury later that season, forcing him to miss the team’s title-winning IPL 2023 campaign. He had this to say about his chances:

“Everyone is performing well and last year Tushar and Deepak bhai bowled really well. So, they should get a chance before me. It will be unfair to play before them. So, I’m waiting for my chance. It’s difficult and frustrating when you sit out when you have proved yourself in the IPL. When the team needs me then I’ll be playing,”

Player development

Young bowler Raj Hangargekar was scooped by the CSK franchise in 2022 for a remarkable ₹ 1.5 crore for an U-23 player. CSK focused more on his development trajectory, favouring his skill buildup over churning him out to the field for a place among IPL stars:

“As we know, it is very tough to get an opportunity. Anyone from the squad who plays is going to do better for the team. And when it comes to progress, when you’ve been with a team like this for two years straight, you get to learn a lot of things,”

“In the age-group, you can dominate with those skills, but when the stage gets bigger, the players are skilfully better, mentally, even better. That was a good break for me to wait and learn what the game is demanding from me, and what my skills are…They (Chennai Super Kings) did not throw me immediately into that situation and see how I react. Instead, they wanted me to get better and then wait for my opportunity and they have shown that belief in me by retaining me for the last two seasons,”

Chennai Super Kings IPL 2024 Schedule

Chennai Super Kings IPL 2024 Full Squad

Wicketkeepers: Avanish Rao Aravelly, Devon Conway (N. Zealand), MS Dhoni

Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed

All-rounders: Ajay Mandal, Daryl Mitchell (N. Zealand), Mitchell Santner (N. Zealand), Moeen Ali (England), Nishant Sindhu, Rachin Ravindra (N. Zealand), Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, and Shivam Dube

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana (S. Lanka), Matheesha Pathirana (S. Lanka), Mukesh Choudhary, Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, and Tushar Deshpande.