‘Catch them young’ is often the mantra in many sports, and cricket is no exception. However, with enough talent, correct guidance and right attitude, a player can reach a certain respectable level, even after starting late. Chennai Super Kings’ left-arm pacer Mukesh Chaudhary is a good example of that.

In today’s competitive world, playing your first cricket game of some recognition around 18 is quite late. But as a pace bowler, there are a few advantages with it too. “I remember it was around 2015-16 when Mukesh first came to our academy,” recalled Rajesh Mahurkar, coach at the 22 Yards cricket academy in Pune, where Chaudhary trains.