As Chennai Super Kings grapple with a season that's slipping out of their grasp, the focus has understandably also turned to the future.

The five-time IPL champions, known for backing players and placing faith in the upside of age and experience, have handed debuts to 20-year-old Shaik Rasheed and 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre in back-to-back games, while also adding 21-year-old Dewald Brevis to their squad.

The decision to blood youngsters like Rasheed and Mhatre isn't just a reaction to a poor campaign; it's part of a long-term vision CSK have trusted before. "The work we did a couple of times we were in this position in the past set us up, I think, to win the title the following year," head coach Stephen Fleming said in Chennai.

"So we're certainly aware of what needs to be done and how we can go about it. When that time comes, we will make sure there's no stone left unturned to get things right."

Both Rasheed and Mhatre wasted little time in