Ready to roar: Hussey added that Dhoni’s knee appears good and that he has been batting extraordinarily effectively within the lead-up to the IPL.
| Photo Credit: INSTAGRAM@chennaiipl
Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey on Monday alluded to the reverse-ageing fictional character Benjamin Button to convey that the CSK captain M.S. Dhoni is as match-fit as ever. He added that Dhoni has been batting in addition to ever within the lead-up to the upcoming version of the Indian Premier League, which begins with CSK’s dwelling match versus Royal Challengers Bangalore right here on March 22.
“He’s preparing really well. His knee seems good at this stage. And he’s batting extremely well at the moment. I must admit he’s like Benjamin Button! He keeps getting better,” Hussey stated in an unique chat with The Hindu on the inauguration of the Pavit Singh Nayar Memorial All India inter-college T20 cricket match for women and men on the Guru Nanak College right here.
The 48-year-old stated that Rachin Ravindra and even Ajinkya Rahane may open the innings within the injured Devon Conway’s absence.
“We’ve got Rachin Ravindra, who’s coming in, who plays a similar style to Devon Conway. There are other options as well. Ajinkya Rahane played so well last year. He could also move up the order. So I’m not sure which way the captain and the coach want to go.”
Asked if the younger Sameer Rizvi is being checked out to play Ambati Rayudu’s position from final season of scoring in fast bursts, the Australian stated: “Most definitely. I think he can play that role. I mean, Rayudu is someone who has so much experience and he’s played for so long. So, he’s a seasoned campaigner, whereas Rizvi is just starting his IPL career.
“So, we can’t expect Rizvi to be doing exactly what Rayudu has been doing for so many years. But, of course, we can start developing him and he’s got a lot of natural ability. So, it’s exciting to see how far he can go.”
