IPL 2022
Follow UsChennai Super Kings’ love with all-rounders never seem to die. If only, the love for all-rounders has reinvigorated over the years, starting from the Albie Morkel-era through the times of Scott Styris, Jacob Oram and Dwayne Bravo. So much so, that it has become a running joke that if you are an all-rounder, CSK will definitely pick you up.
MS Dhoni’s love for multi-faceted cricketers has been an open secret for quite some time now, which has been the sauce of the franchise's success. However, CSK have never had the opportunity in the past, to seal a coveted youngster in their camp.
But with the 19-year-old Rajvardhan Hangargekar, CSK might have very well been in line to unearth a gem, a rare one in Indian cricket. For the longest time, Indian cricket has trodden carefully on the lines of a pace bowling all-rounder. Hardik Pandya has set the benchmark too high for not just his own liking but has increased the expectations of the national selectors.
It wasn’t just that, the influence of Hardik’s remarkable IPL success definitely has put more and more pressure on the rising line of youngsters but equally, it has now given them a proper stage. The selectors are now growingly aware of how scarce a commodity, such as a pace-bowling all-rounder is in Indian cricket.
So, when Chennai beat the likes of Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giant for securing the 19-year-old’s signature, it was a celebration of all sorts. In most places, it was a muted one but perhaps, where it was most important - within the CSK camp, there was a sense of joy and satisfaction.
CSK and Hangargekar, love at first sight
After Ruturaj Gaikwad, Hangargekar, was a project that they would have dreamt about, a project that has all the elements to succeed. But as aforementioned, it is a territory that CSK have not been in the longest time, at least, one where there is likely going to be some national interest at some point in the future.
While the doubts might be on several minds, considering the history of youngsters at the franchise, Hangargekar is a package that can be dubbed as made for the Super Kings. The four-time IPL champions, know how to win titles, they know how to win games and in the recent past, have definitely showed they know how to build a talent.
At the U-19 level, for India, the Maharashtra all-rounder might just have scored 52 runs and picked up five wickets but his potential goes quite the long way. But the biggest positive, he is still 19, and has the innate urge to grow as a cricketer.
Hangargekar is fast, he can clock 140 kmph with ease. And to go alongside his pace, he can hit the back of a length, he can nail the yorkers, crushing a toe or two in process. Now just that should be enough to garner a few eyeballs but the 19-year-old’s skillset doesn’t end there. He can absolutely smash the ball, which Ireland’s U-19 team can absolutely attest to.
However, all of that at the age-group level, IPL is often a different animal altogether. And that’s exactly where CSK, the franchise walks in.
Experience amidst the experienced
“Really enjoyed the IPL and feel I have taken my game to a different standard in terms of my learning. I took a lot away from that group and the coaching staff at Chennai. I feel my game has improved since I went there and I want to keep trying to improve and become a regular,” admitted Sam Curran after his IPL experience with CSK.
And it came after Curran’s first season with the Super Kings, a season where they repeatedly flirted to narrowly escape the wooden spoon. Even at the expense of results not coming through, Curran’s experience was one to cherish.
The English all-rounder got a rare full-fledged opportunity, first with the ball and later, with the bat, where he was also promoted at the top of the order. That is exactly where experience comes into play, Curran not only was massively backed by the franchise at every corner but was constantly guided by the veteran, Bravo.
In Hangargekar’s case, he will have Bravo, Chris Jordan and most importantly, plethora of big names in the Indian domestic circuit, who will guide him cautiously. His first few sessions with the Super Kings have already gone viral, especially his way of depositing the ball to the longest of boundaries but it is just a glimpse of what is to come.
After he deposited quite a few deliveries into the stands, there came Dhoni, who was batting on the net next to him, with a whisper, an advice of sorts. And once Dhoni was done, there was Eric Simons, who was working on the all-rounder’s seam position.
"On the first day of practice, MS bhaiya told me just go with what you are already doing. Don't change anything. Just keep doing what you have been doing really well. That was a really good piece of advice for me, that I have the freedom to do what I'm doing," Hangargekar said.
While Hardik’s growth might have come out of the blue for a lot, Hangargekar won’t tread on the same path. At the age of just 19, he is easily recognised by a million and his skillset, feared by a lot.
More importantly though, all eyes would be on his progress, which would come one step at a time under Dhoni’s tutelage.
