Kolkata: MS Dhoni may once again be the captain by default, but he is approaching 44 and dealing with a weak knee, indicating that he is not as effective in the death overs as he once was. However, his keen eye for potential remains sharp, giving Chennai Super Kings hope that under Dhoni's leadership, a new generation of cricketers will rise who can be valuable for the foreseeable future.

The victory in Kolkata provided a brief glimpse of that promise — Urvil Patel kickstarted the chase with an 11-ball 31, and Dewald Brevis sealed it with a half-century off 22 balls. Including Ayush Mhatre in this discussion brings the total to three fearless batters with an average age just under 23, but with strike rates exceeding 150.

For CSK, this is significant because they have a history of selecting overseas all-rounders and revitalizing the careers of Indian players, moves that aren’t always statistically justified.

Breaking that pattern was essential, and it would likely be better if it occurred under Dhoni's guidance. He has been straightforward, acknowledging that CSK needs to evolve or face decline. This is why Dhoni has opted for extensive changes, focusing entirely on young players and batters, as that’s where CSK has been most exposed in a season where their powerplay run rate prior to the KKR match was 8. 1.

“The thing is these are the players who are part of us right now. . . so we have got an opportunity to test them,” Dhoni remarked following their two-wicket victory on Wednesday. “You may see them in the nets, you may see them in the practice game, but nothing compares to a real match, you know, so we are out of the tournament, we had three games (remaining), so you give them a chance and see how they react. ”

In the context of the chase, Patel’s performance clearly caught KKR off guard. If hitting Vaibhav Arora over his pads for a six over midwicket in the first over was audacious, what was shocking was his ability to clobber Harshit Rana’s slower delivery for another six. This came after Moeen Ali had no chance to settle in his only over bowled to Patel, yielding 6, 4, and 6 in three straight deliveries.

Brought in as a direct replacement for wicketkeeper Vansh Bedi, Patel had made a strong impression during the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 315 runs in six innings at an average of 78. 75 and a strike rate of nearly 230. The potential he showcased was too enticing for CSK to pass up on making an offer.

“It’s not the technical aspect,” Dhoni explained. “What we want to see is the approach and the mental toughness because that’s what really counts. It’s not necessarily the most technically proficient batsman who scores the most runs, but rather someone who possesses greater game awareness. You know who understands what the bowler is aiming to do, and if he sets a field, according to that field you know what he will deliver. What constitutes a bluff ball? In today’s game, that’s significant. ”

Brevis is made from the same mold. Recruited into the system by Mumbai Indians, he was signed as a substitute for Gurjapneet Singh as a batter known for quickly irritating bowlers. This was clear in the over against Arora, where Brevis scored 6,4,4,6,6,4. Adding to that was the brilliant 94 by a 17-year-old Mhatre against RCB, indicating that CSK might possess some hidden gems. Who better than Dhoni to mentor them in the intricacies of this format?

“What matters is being realistic, understanding what has gone awry,” Dhoni stated. “We have 25 players who can step in, and my focus has been on that. We seek clarity for next year regarding which batter can fit in where and which bowler can bowl where based on the conditions. ”

Victories like this always bring about a sense of optimism, Michael Hussey remarked later.

“They’ve (the younger players) made a positive contribution to the team,” he noted. “They’re very driven to succeed. They’ve generated enthusiasm within the group because, in times like these, the players’ spirit can decline rapidly. However, this infusion of youth has truly revitalized everyone. ”

It’s evident that Dhoni isn’t leaving anytime soon. Although this might already be a lost cause for CSK, extracting the positives from it to prepare for a brighter future is something no one does better than Dhoni.

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