Even before Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma were born, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was an established India cricketer. During the early years of the Indian Premier League, they were practically in their diapers when the legend of “Captain Cool” began to take shape.
However, neither the 20-year-old left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Veer nor the 19-year-old keeper-batter Kartik would have imagined that by Tuesday night, they would both enter the record books with record-breaking deals of Rs 14.20 crore from Chennai Super Kings.
The chance of a lifetime to share the dressing room with none other than Dhoni, who is 44 years old and still going strong, is more alluring than that.
It’s debatable if Veer can be developed as Ravindra Jadeja’s long-term replacement or if keeper Kartik will get a look-in when Sanju Samson and Dhoni can don the big gloves. However, the Chennai Super Kings have demonstrated a deft philosophical shift in anticipation of the day when Ruturaj Gaikwad will have more influence than MSD.
With the exception of one instance when they spent around Rs 10 crore on Karnataka off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham before abruptly dumping him, CSK, who have always believed in going for tried and proved players, whether they are Indian or foreign, have not exactly spent huge money on untested local talent.
However, that was the Dhoni era. According to CSK rumors, Gaikwad, the new captain, is being trusted by the administration, and his opinions are receiving a lot of internal weight.
Spending nearly 60% of their budget and more than US$3 million (Rs 28.40 crore) on players who could be considered “wet behind the ears” does show a shift in perspective.
Anyone familiar with the IPL franchise world would be aware that AR Srikkanth, who spent over 15 years with the Kolkata Knight Riders, was instrumental in spotting both local and international talent.
One of the best cricket scouts in the world, Srikkanth is currently CSK’s head of talent and player acquisitions. If Veer and Kartik, who have a combined senior level T20 experience of 21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games, were selected, there must have been something he saw in them during the domestic season.
Whether the ploy succeeds or fails, it demonstrates CSK’s increased commitment to developing a team for the future. In the past, Dhoni’s vote was limited to tried-and-true internationals, but in the age of Gaikwad and analytics, there is a noticeable shift.
It will take time for Veer, a left-arm spinner and useful left-handed batter, but the way the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association forced him to travel across the nation in only two weeks to play SMAT matches and U-23 age group matches demonstrated how much they regard him. Veer will continue to develop as a player at CSK under Dhoni’s tutelage and with a useful rival like Akeal Hossain of the West Indies.
“I’m happy to be joining Chennai Super Kings because MS Dhoni is there. The way he bats in the lower order, his mindset, the way he talks, how he controls his body and stays so focused — there is so much to learn from him,” Veer said.
“Batting in the lower order is not easy, but what he has done is special. Even if I can learn four or five percent from him, it will be very useful for me,” he added.
With a strike-rate of more than 160, Kartik’s big-hitting ability is now widely known. However, given Dhoni and Samson’s continued success, it is unclear if he would have a spot in the inaugural season.
However, he has already demonstrated that he has future potential. If he hadn’t played very little senior cricket, JSW, one of the top organizations that manages sporting talents, wouldn’t have signed him.
Kartik trains at the Agra academy of pacer Deepak Chahar’s father, Lokendra.
“His father brought him to my camp when he was five. My son Deepak advised him to start keeping which will make him an all-rounder. At practice, he hits 100 sixes a day, and trains for hours,” a PTI report quoted Lokendra as saying.
“People would often accuse me that I have only produced my son and nephew Rahul Chahar, but Kartik’s record deal would tell you that I have an eye for talent,” he added.
Veer and Kartik have the right to celebrate for the time being, but only time will tell if they can defend their billing. They deserve it.
