MS Dhoni has claimed that he didn't find the spark in youngsters to push the experienced players out of the playing XI after CSK lost the IPL 2020 match to Rajasthan Royals to all but end their hopes of qualifying for play-offs.
His comments has sparked a controversy with former Indian skipper Krish Srikkanth blasting Dhoni, stating the CSK skipper himself is to blame for the poor show as his team selection has left a lot to be desired. So, is there any truth behind Dhoni's statement?
So, do IPL youngsters lack the 'spark'?
In fact, they are doing a great job in IPL 2020
All the talks of youngsters not having spark is not true at all. In fact, they have done an excellent job in this IPL season so far.
Ravi Bishnoi, who was part of India's Under-19 team for this year's U-19 World Cup, is doing a great job as a spinner for Kings XI Punjab, taking 9 wickets so far in IPL 2020. He is just 20. A youngster in Prithvi Shaw has formed a great opening pair with Shikhar Dhawan for Delhi Capitals and providing greats starts with his veteran partner.
Devdutt Padikkal, 20, and playing his first IPL season, has solved RCB's opening woes in this season. SRH's Priyam Garg, 19, scored a masterful 51* against CSK to help his team to victory. Riyan Parag, 18, has continued to impress this season for the Rajasthan Royals, hitting a cameo of 26-ball 42 not out against SRH to steer the team to a memorable win.
CSK have not used their youngsters wisely
Dhoni has just used one youngster in Sam Curran in all the matches this IPL season. But he has stayed away from other youngsters. He gave just one match to Narayan Jagadeesan who did not do a bad job at all, scoring 33 against RCB.
But Dhoni has persisted with Kedar Jadhav, who has failed to even put bat to ball. Jadhav has managed just 62 runs in 5 innings at an average of 20.66 and a strike rate of 93.93. It's rather difficult to understand Dhoni's continued persistence with Jadhav.
IPL has unearthed young talent who have gone on to play international cricket in the past
IPL has had been a great platform to unearth young talented cricketers who have gone to become world-class players in international cricket. For example, Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians. He bagged an IPL contract in 2013 even before playing a first-class game. In his debut IPL match, he bagged the wicket of Virat Kohli of RCB. And now, he is one of the world's best fast bowlers across formats.
Verdict
Dhoni has probably blamed the spark in youngsters to hide his team's failures or shortcomings. The experienced players, including Dhoni, have failed to fire. And Dhoni was perhaps trying to save face with his 'spark' statement. The truth is that IPL youngsters do have the 'spark'.
Cover Credits: IPLT20
