No Ruturaj Gaikwad or Shivam Dube! Legendary player picks a 17-year-old Virender Sehwag who will represent CSK for 10 years

Chennai Super Kings have realized that they can’t perform well without investing in young players in the Indian Premier League. Their strategy of picking experienced players over new talent has been backfiring since last season. With an ordinary mega auction, the five-time champions have been among the worst-performing franchises in the 18th edition.

CSK have won two out of 8 matches, and their stand-in captain, MS Dhoni, had already conceded the season. To prepare a competitive team for next year, the management has given chances to 20-year-old Shaik Rasheed and 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre. The two are playing as openers after Rachin Ravindra was dropped from the playing XI. Mhatra, who hails from Mumbai, has impressed a lot. His fearless approach against legendary bowlers shows his class.

In the most recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he scored 30 runs off 19 balls, laced with 6 fours. He faced Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins without any pressure. In his debut against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, he struck 32 runs off 15 balls, packed with 4 fours and 2 sixes.

Former India and Chennai Super Kings player Suresh Raina made a bold prediction about the new rising star of the team. He feels Mhatre will represent the Super Kings for 10 years in the cash-rich league.

“He is like Virender Sehwag, whose head was still while batting. Ayush Mhatre also shows three stumps like Sehwag. He is going to play for CSK for 10 years. I saw him speaking to Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav after the MI vs CSK match. He is willing to learn from the big names,” Suresh Raina said.

“He is 17 but a dgaerous batter for the bowlers. Mhatra has got a long career ahead,” he added.