CSK team in IPL history having won 3 Indian Premier League titles. But in the 13th season of the marquee T20 league, CSK have found themselves at the bottom of the table after their 7-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday.
A look at the scorecard, wherein Ravindra Jadeja is topping the runs with 35* off 30, and we’ll know that Dhoni’s team showed no intent and could only manage a total of 125/5 in 20 overs. Rajasthan, with the help of Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 48-ball 70, chased it down with ease within 17.3 overs.
After the game, at the post-match presentation, CSK captain MS Dhoni made a comment on youngsters in the squad lacking not having shown spark being the reason behind their non-selection. It got a lot of flak as, clearly, not enough chances were given to the youngsters, as compared to a Kedar Jadhav who has accumulated only 62 runs off 5 innings averaging 20.66 and striking at 93.93 in the season so far.
“It’s fair enough [the criticism for not playing youngsters], this season we weren’t there. Maybe we didn’t see as much spark from some of our youngsters. Maybe going forward we bring them in and they play without pressure,” MS Dhoni said, at the post-match presentation about youngsters missing the required spark.
Naturally, Twitter burst into flames due to the captain’s ‘outrageous’ comment on youngsters lacking the required spark. Here’s what fans had to say on Monday after CSK’s defeat to RR:
Outrageous statement by Dhoni to say he didn't find any spark in youngsters to give them a fair run. Jaggi tried hard, showed intent to score 33 on his debut & was dropped unceremoniously. Not sure what spark Kedar Jadhav showed to have made a comeback into the side. Ridiculous.
— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) October 19, 2020
Really disappointed to hear this from #Dhoni without giving the chance how can you say there is not enough spark
"Maybe we didn't see the kind of spark that they could've given us to say okay you know push the experienced guys and make space for them."#CSKvRR #Dream11IPL
— VigneshWaran Baskaran? (@Im_The_VicKy) October 20, 2020
"Didn't see spark in youngsters"- is the most outrageous thing I have heard.
If no one had seen spark in Dhoni, if no one had backed him after being run out in the first match, we wouldn't have gotten an legend in cricket.
— The Joker ? (@Joker122018) October 19, 2020
When Thala was younger, he axed experienced seniors as apparantly they weren't good fielders and were burden on the team.
When Thala is older, youngsters aren't showing much spark to push the experienced seniors out.
It's always the age group of which Dhoni isn't a part.
— innocent (@Tweet_innocent) October 19, 2020
Dhoni’s comment was also questioned by Kris Srikkanth
In this light, 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer Kris Srikkanth questioned Kedar Jadhav and Piyush Chawla’s inclusion in the playing XI while players like Jagadeesan and Karn Sharma missed out.
“I won’t accept what Dhoni is saying. This talk of process, process… I won’t agree with that. You’re talking about process, but the process of selection itself is wrong. A guy like Jagadeesan… you’re saying youngsters don’t have spark, does Kedar Jadhav have spark? Did Piyush Chawla show spark? Come on, this is all ridiculous, I will not accept his answers today. By going on and on about the process, CSK’s tournament is going to end. By saying that they will give opportunities from now to youngsters… come on, Jagadeesan showed some spark,” said Kris Srikkanth.
Source: DNA
