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Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should provide opportunities to players like Sameer Rizvi, whom CSK invested Rs. 8.40 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction last year. He also backed Sameer Rizvi as the finisher of the Chennai-based franchise. MS Dhoni rolled back the years with his mesmerising knock of 37 runs off 16 balls against Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 31. However, touted as one of the best finishers, the ex-CSK skipper couldn’t guide his team to a win as CSK couldn’t secure a win and scummed to DC by 20 runs.
Speaking on Star Sports, Sidhu highlighted that talent is nothing without opportunity. He felt that the team should allow youngsters and players need to accept the challenge. He added that the team needed to give that confidence to Rizvi.
'Talent is Nothing Without Opportunity'
“Talent is nothing without opportunity. You have to give youngsters opportunity. One is giving opportunity and the other thing is the player accepting the challenge. You have got to give Rizvi that confidence,” Sidhu said.
The 60-year-old Sidhu lavished praise on Dhoni for his ability to inspire players and unlock their full potential by instilling unwavering faith in them.
“The same player isn’t that strong in the other team, but when he comes to Dhoni, he becomes a completely different player, how? Because a good leader is the one who walks behind him and ignites faith,” Sidhu added.
Rizvi marked his debut in the biggest cricketing extravaganza with a powerful six off Rashid Khan’s delivery during the clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) at Chepauk. The uncapped Indian players hit a quick-fire 14 off 6 balls to make a valuable contribution to the team’s total.
However, Rizvi had a tough outing in the match against DC as he was dismissed for a golden duck during CSK’s chase. During the match, Dhoni and Jadeja stitched an unbeaten partnership of 51 runs from 23 deliveries but it wasn’t enough to secure victory. Sidhu acknowledged that Dhoni has nothing to prove and will unlock the next generation’s potential.
“A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of vinegar. So, therefore, fitting people in their rightful place is what is most important. Dhoni is an asset, when he bats and finishes. Jadeja and Dhoni, one plus one is 11. They are multiplying their strength. Dhoni has nothing to prove. The biggest strength of a leader is that he builds future leaders. He will actually unlock potential for the youngsters,” Sidhu further added.
Sidhu went on to say that finishers' contributions in the death overs could prove to be a make or break for the team’s result.
“The bigger challenge is not batting at No. 3 or No. 4, the bigger challenge is when you bat for the last six overs, the last 7 overs. That is the time when you are really tested, why? That’s when you are going to be scoring 1 ball, 3 runs. 1 ball, 2 and a half. This skill is in a very few people. I am telling you, it's not easy to be a finisher. You are not getting accolades, but it’s the quality of those runs, which actually helps the team win or lose,” Sidhu said.
CSK will be aiming to bounce back as they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their next match of the IPL 2024 on April 5.
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