Tushar Deshpande recommended Salman Khan's name to CSK.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) net bowler Salman Khan has recalled golden advice given by the Indian legend MS Dhoni during the ongoing IPL 2022. If he manages to impress the CSK, he might get a chance in the auction next year, like other net-bowlers.
Mumbai’s off-spinner has revealed that once, Dhoni told him to think twice before delivering the ball, as every batter would try to hit an off-spinner in T20 cricket.
CSK always try to pick their net bowlers in the main squad and they did the same in the IPL 2022 mega auction when they picked their next bowlers, Mukesh Choudhary and Prashant, earlier this year. It offered a great opportunity for Salman to try his hands against the CSK batters.
Salman Khan told The Indian Express: “One day, I got a call from a Chennai Super Kings official asking me whether I can join as a net bowler for this season. Later, I got to know my name was recommended by (Mumbai player) Tushar Deshpande. I was excited because I will get a chance to learn, otherwise, I would be just playing club cricket.”
Revealing about his brief interaction with Dhoni, the off-spinner said: “I spoke to Mahi bhai and Jadeja. I want to learn from them, these two months might change my life. I asked Mahi bhai about my bowling. He said, ‘Salman, off-spinner ko T20 mein sab maarne hi dekhte hai, so thoda dimag se dalne ka, jyada sochne ka (in T20s, everyone tries to hit the off-spinner, so put some thought behind your bowling).”
Salman concluded, “He said he will speak to me after a few games. The franchise is treating us like everyone else. We are getting the same treatment like everyone else. The environment is superb.”