CSK's Youngsters for the Future: IPL 2022

The Chennai Super Kings have had a rather forgettable season. They are currently ninth and may finish they’re unless the Mumbai Indians go past them with a sizeable win against the Delhi Capitals. While the season has seen CSK rely on their mature stars in Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa and Dwayne Bravo, they also looked into the future as CSK unearthed some interesting talents, who could carry the team forward next season.

Mukesh Choudhary

With Deepak Chahar injured, CSK had a massive void to fill upfront. They lacked a bowler who could take wickets with the new ball and Mukesh Choudhary showed up out of nowhere to impress. His left-arm angle and ability to move the ball around has helped him emerge as a handy bowler for Chennai. He struggled in the first few games, but later on became a big help in the powerplay, picking up early wickets and denting the opposition. He has been among the wickets and with Chahar likely to be back next season, the prospect of Chahar and Choudhary opening the bowling looks very promising.

Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana came into the IPL as a replacement for Adam Milne. He has a slingy action, can bowl at good pace, and has a lot of similarities with the great Lasith Malinga. In his very first ball in the IPL, Pathirana immediately bought back shades of Malinga as he trapped Gill leg-before with a pinpoint yorker. With his pace and Yorkers, he is a very handy death bowler, and given time Pathirana has the potential to become a huge player in the international and IPL circuit, given he remains fit.

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Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theeskhana played a strong role in CSK’s brief attempt at a turnaround. He came into the side when they were struggling to take wickets in the powerplay and the spinners struggled to take control of the middle-overs. He took twelve wickets this season including a four-wicket haul against Bangalore. With CSK looking at the future, and needing an aggressive spinner, Maheesh Theekshana has shown up as an option who can bowl at any stage of the innings with a lot of effect.

Simarjeet Singh

With CSK lacking some pace bowlers, Simarjeet Singh was given a fair rope in the side. He took the new-ball with Mukesh Choudhary and displayed enough to show that he has what it takes to stay in the side. He could move the ball well, had some decent pace, bowling faster than Choudhary and touching 145Ks on a few occasions as well. He wasn’t among the wickets immediately but found his groove as the season went on, bowling economically and accurately. He still does go off radar though occasionally, and struggles in the death, but is still a bowler that has the potential to be groomed into a valuable asset for the side.

Along with these four, CSK will continue to hope that Ruturaj Gaikwad delivers for them, as he is one of the most important cogs in the side. There are a handful of other youngsters in Narayan Jagadeeshan and Rajvardhan Hangargekar who can make an impact in the upcoming seasons.

Narayan Jagadeeshan is already a star in the domestic circuit. He has given some wonderful performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare trophy in the last year. The presence of Ruturaj Gaikwad and seniors like Rayudu though has made it tough for him to find a spot. Hangargekar is another talent who has already found a name for himself in the under-19 World Cup. He brings a unique skillset to the table as he can double up a big-hitter and fast bowler, who touches high speeds.

With a handful of youngsters in the side, who have a lot of potential, CSK have enough to look forward to ahead of the next season. The players on hand are incredible talents and they could play a strong role as CSK look to put this season behind them and make a strong comeback, especially with the likes of Deepak Chahar coming back to the squad.