IPL 2025
Michael Hussey hopeful of CSK bagging a playoff spot
By SMCS - Apr 12, 2025 7:00 am
Views 23

Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach Michael Hussey believes CSK can reach the playoffs in IPL 2025. However, CSK are currently on their worst run in IPL history, losing their fifth successive match on Friday (April 11). As a result, they are placed in the ninth spot, marginally above Sunrisers Hyderabad on net run rate as well.

CSK
CSK

“We are certainly not putting the white flag up just yet,” Hussey said after CSK’s massive loss to KKR. “You only have to get in to scrape into that fourth place. And a big, long tournament like the IPL, it is about momentum. Now, certainly the momentum is not with us at the moment whatsoever. We haven’t been playing good cricket consistently. We definitely acknowledge that, put our hands up and say that that is fact at the moment. But that’s not to say things can’t turn around and can’t turn around quickly.”

“So, that’s what we’re still hanging on to, and that’s what we’re working hard towards. And if we can change that momentum and get some confidence going and get a few wins on the board, the confidence will grow and you never know. We might be able to scrape into one of those last positions in the table come playoffs time. And it’s a long way ahead, and we certainly need to change things around. But we still believe that we can do that,” he again shared.

ALSO READ: “Aap Lucknow ke naye nawab hain” – Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant’s appointment as LSG captain

Michael Hussey also said that they need to stick together as a group and not bring massive changes to fetch results.

“This is where it’s a time that we’ve got to really stick tight together, keep working really hard, keep working on the things that we think are really important,” he pointed out. “I mean, there’s a lot of talk about the style of our play and things like that, but the players we’ve got, we don’t want to ask them to play in a completely different way from what’s natural to them. They’ve got here to the IPL for playing really well in their way, and I’m certainly not one to try and get them to play in a different way. You know, things can turn around quickly. So if we start to fracture, if we start to change things too much, which has certainly not been a CSK trait in the past, then I think things can go worse before they get better,” he further added.

Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

However, CSK have faced criticism for sticking to the experienced core and not giving opportunities to some of the young players in their squad. When asked about this, Hussey dismissed the notion and cited the examples of the likes of Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane batting at their best during their late stints with CSK in the past.

“We have had players in the twilight of their career come and play at CSK in the past,” Hussey added. “I think of Shane Watson. I think of Ajinkya Rahane. And they’ve performed really well for CSK. So, I still think that the players that we’ve got still have some good cricket in front of them and can still offer us a lot. So, I don’t necessarily agree with the fact that they’re beyond their best. I still think we can find their best [form] and see some great performances from them.”

ALSO READ: “In the next T20 World Cup in India, he’ll be number one bowler” – Mohammad Kaif on Varun Chakravarthy

“With regards to blooding youngsters, I mean, we want to pick guys when they’re ready to perform as well. We’ve got some very good players that are waiting for their chance. No question about that. But sometimes I think when teams give up and think, ‘oh, well, we can’t win the tournament anymore, well, we’ll just try the youngsters now’. You know, give them a go. And, you know, we’re still here to try and progress in the tournament as far as we can.”

“We still believe we’ve got the talent in the dressing room to turn this around. It’s going to take some hard work, no question about that. But we’re going to find out who our true supporters are, the ones that really stick with us. The fans we have for the Chennai Super Kings have been absolutely phenomenal ever since day one, really. We hope they continue to keep turning out and supporting us. And I know the guys will be really hurting from this and will want to turn it around for the fans as much for the dressing room and for each other as well, but more for the fans because they have stuck tight with us for a lot of the good times. And we hope they stick with us now when things haven’t quite gone to plan just yet,” Michael Hussey conclluded.