Why CSK and MS Dhoni wanted uncapped players like Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma in the squad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) appears to be charting a new course, prioritizing youth in a league increasingly dominated by explosive, fearless batsmen. While other franchises have earned praise for nurturing young talent, CSK, under head coach Stephen Fleming, had previously emphasized winning trophies over developing players, a stance famously articulated in 2018.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. recent actions suggest a change in philosophy. In the latest auction, CSK aimed for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green but were outbid by Kolkata Knight Riders. According to CSK's managing director, Kasi Viswanathan, they stopped bidding at Rs 25 crore for Green to ensure they could secure their targeted young talents. Viswanathan acknowledged a significant shift in the IPL's landscape, necessitating adaptation.

Fleming's past statements highlight this evolution. As recently as March 28, 2025, he defended their approach against criticism of being too cautious. Later, on April 25, 2025, after suffering seven defeats in nine matches, Fleming expressed interest in analyzing the top run-scorers and successful teams to inform future strategy.

By May 19, 2025, with CSK at the bottom of the table, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Urvil Patel debuted, injecting firepower into the top order. Despite these changes, Fleming maintained that age wasn't a primary concern, valuing experience.

The acquisition of Mhatre (18), Kartik (19), Prashant (20), Noor Ahmad (20), and Brevis (22) in Abu Dhabi on December 16 signals a concrete shift. These players are expected to feature in the playing XI next season. After consistently making the playoffs from 2008-2019, CSK has experienced a more turbulent period in the last six seasons. While securing titles in 2021 and 2023, the previous season prompted introspection. Fleming admitted that CSK may have been slow to adapt to the evolving game.

This shift led to a five-day trial program at CSK's high-performance center in September, where 40-50 uncapped players were evaluated. Kartik, known for his aggressive batting, piqued the interest of former England captain Kevin Pietersen. CSK fast bowler Deepak Chahar had alerted the team to Kartik's potential. Fleming personally oversaw the camp, with performance analyst AR Srikkanth playing a crucial role.

Srikkanth, recruited from Kolkata Knight Riders, has a strong reputation for identifying talent, including Sunil Narine, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Rashid Khan. Last season, Srikkanth championed the inclusion of Brevis, successfully fending off interest from Delhi Capitals.

Fleming acknowledged the changing dynamics, noting that while he once believed experience was key, the new generation of fearless athletes, raised on T20 cricket, possess a unique and appealing skillset. He emphasized the mental freedom of these players compared to experienced players who can become bogged down in overthinking the game. The question remains whether these 'T20 babies' can perform under pressure.