IPL 2024 | "MSD at number eight is crazy": Head coach Hussey

Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey said that the lsquoImpact Playerrsquo rule has lengthened their batting order allowing former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to come in as late as number eight during this IPLThe lsquoImpact Playerrsquo rule introduced from 2023 edition allows each franchise to name five substitutes one of whom could come on as a substitute during the course of the matchPlaying against Gujarat Titans here on Tuesday CSK managed to post a matchwinning total of 206 for six However with seven batters coming out to bat there were no signs of Dhoni coming in even as his fans got a bit impatientAlso Read IPL 2024 Rishabh Pant aims to secure seasons first win vs RRldquoItrsquos definitely been a directive from head coach Stephen Fleming to keep pushing the game forward The lsquoImpact Playerrsquo has lengthened the batting order with MSD at number eight which is crazy and he is batting well in the nets at the momentrdquo Hussey told reporters during the postgame media interactionPositive thinking ldquoBecause of this the batters up the order can take the positive attacking route They certainly have the backing from the coaches and the captain Even if they get out doing so itrsquos fine and they wonrsquot be criticised We want to keep playing fastrdquoAmong the performers for CSK was New Zealandrsquos Rachin Ravindra who continued his blazing form with a 20ball 46Explaining how he worked with Rachin during the preseason Hussey stated that it was all about allowing him to ldquoplay his best cricketrdquo ldquoHersquos Ravindra had a great start itrsquos awesome to watch Hersquos come here with great energy and wants to learn more and make a positive impact on the team Hersquos gone out there with a clear mind and a nice positive attituderdquo he statedHussey feels that his work is mainly to ensure that Rachin stays in a positive frame of mind to produce optimum resultsWellprepared GaikwadIt was two in two for new CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad replacing Dhoni while Hussey termed him a lsquocricketsavvy guyrsquo ldquoRutu is fantastic and very wellprepared He along with Fleming and MSD get together to talk tactics before the gamerdquo he reckonedldquoBut the way he Gaikwad changes the field he has a clear mindset and the message to the bowlers is also clear He does have some good support around him but he is a smart and cricketsavvy guy who understands the game wellrdquoOne of the players being talked about for CSK was Sameer Rizvi who struck ace GT spinner Rashid Khan for two sixes and Hussey was allpraise for his natural hitting ability ldquoHersquos Rizvi got some natural hitting ability especially against spinners He can hit a long way and is very cleanrdquoPromoting a rookie ahead of Dhoni was a ldquomasterstrokerdquo according to HusseyldquoIt was a masterstroke from the thinktank as well as we were expecting MSD to come out and play the last few balls But they realised Rizvirsquos got some natural power against spin and he delivered The crowd loved it toordquoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever