“Do Not Want to Put Too Much Doubt in Our Mind’, Says Mike Hussey as CSK Welcome Ultra-aggressive SRH to the Den

Chennai Super Kings host Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday with the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League in full cry.

SRH have headlined the insane number of runs fans have been treated to this year and it will be a tough task for the holders, who have had a rather ‘Start-Stop’ season in terms of results.

Ahead of the enticing encounter that promises plenty of runs, CSK batting coach Mike Hussey opined that the team has to measure up to the challenge and seek to come up trumps during crunch moments in the game.

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“It makes it really challenging, doesn’t it? But that is the modern nature of the game and we have to deal with it. We can’t make any excuses,” the Australian began.

“We have looked at them really closely and we are going to do the best that we can,” he continued.

Hussey touched upon the cut-throat nature of the competition and added that winning the little moments could prove to be the difference. He also explained that the team do not want to throw too much doubt as it could prove ultimately detrimental to the cause.

“We do not think we are too far off. We try to tweak the approach a little bit, cause the competition is so close that it could be the difference,” the southpaw added.

“We do not want to confuse ourselves too much and put too much doubt in our mind,” he asserted.

The side from Hyderabad have taken the game to the opposition with some extremely attacking cricket as opposed to a more consistent approach CSK have thrived on for years.

Despite the contrast in philosophies, Hussey revealed that picking up early wickets and piling pressure on the opposition could prove to be the solution against the ultra-aggressive side.

“They look very dangerous, they have put up some big scores throughout the tournament and hence we got to bowl really well. If we can pick up some early wickets in the powerplay and put them on the backfoot it could make things more difficult for their middle-order players coming in,” the 48-year-old said.

Five-time title winners Chennai Super Kings have been aided hugely by the ability of their spinners in their incredible exploits in the long history of the event. However, the spin department hasn’t particularly delivered yet this season and it could be due to the considerable dew that has had a huge impact on the fortunes of the turners.

“We have always had good spinners and the conditions here have also been friendly. But in the last few games, the dew has been really challenging for the bowlers, taking them out of the game,” Hussey explained.

“The other night, the spinners found it very difficult to hold the ball and they couldn’t get spin on it. The ball is skidding on nicely onto the bat which makes it really challenging,” he elucidated.

Hussey signed off by stating that the team that adjusts to the playing conditions better will come out on top.

“But, as I said, there is no excuse cause it is pretty much the same for both teams and we have to deal with it as best as we can. We have done well here, we have great support from the crowd.”

“The team that plays the conditions better will come out on top,” he concluded.