Chennai Super Kings may have earned the title of ‘Daddy’s Army’, but the team continues to provide a breeding ground for budding cricketers. Over the years, the franchise has developed a culture of finding young talent, nurturing them and then selecting them in their core squad.
The likes of Mukesh Choudhary and Prashant Solanki were roped in as the net bowlers before being bought by CSK in the mega players’ auction in the month of February last year. Mumbai’s off-spinner Salman Khan is the newest name in the list of youngsters helping the team in the training session.
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From spending his time in the tents of Mumbai Cross ground to being selected as the net bowler for CSK, his journey has been very special. In an interview with The Indian Express, a groundsman’s son, Salman told how he made it to a camp full of superstars.
“One day, I got a call from a Chennai Super Kings official asking me if I can join as a net bowler for this season. Later, I came to know that my name was recommended by (Mumbai player) Tushar Deshpande. I was excited because I would get a chance to learn, otherwise, I would have been just playing club cricket,” Salman told The Indian Express.
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It is not easy for a cricketer to become an off-spinner and that should be done during a game, a lesson taught to him by none other than the great MS Dhoni. The former CSK captain asked him to make up his mind while bowling as batsmen often try to go after the off-spinners in the shortest format of the game.
“I spoke to Mahi bhai and Jadeja. I want to learn from him, these two months can change my life. I asked Mahi bhai about my bowling. He said, ‘Salman, the off-spinner T20 mein sab maarne hi dekhte hai, so thoda dimag se dalne ka, jyada sochne ka (In T20 everyone tries to hit the off-spinner, so use your brain). He said he would talk to me after a few matches. The franchisee is treating us like everyone else. We are treating everyone equally. The environment is fantastic,” Slamon said.
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