As the IPL matches roll on, the competition on the points table continues to heat up. The playoff qualifiers are still a mystery, leaving all teams vying for the top four spots. According to Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey, this is a level of intensity and competitiveness that he’s never seen in any tournament before.
“In my experience, I’ve never been a part of a tournament where the table is so closely contested. It’s risky to get ahead of ourselves and speculate about our final position. If we lose focus, we could end up in trouble. We’re dreaming about the playoffs, of course, but there’s a lot of hard work to be done before that,” commented Hussey.
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Hussey also took the time to heap praises on Shivam Dube, describing him as a unique talent with incredible hitting power. Dube’s role within the team has become clearer this year, which Hussey believes is crucial.
“Dube’s ability to dispatch the ball out of the park is astonishing, he possesses phenomenal power. His role within the team is clearer now, something we might have lacked last year,” Hussey noted.
Updating on Dube’s recent finger injury, Hussey affirmed that despite this setback, Dube is ready to face Delhi Capitals. “He injured his finger in the previous game. But he’s shown resilience by batting despite the injury. We’re hoping he’ll be fit enough to play against DC.”
As for the upcoming match against Delhi Capitals, Hussey acknowledged their recent form and expressed confidence in their chances. Despite being at the bottom of the table, a couple of wins could see them leap up the standings.
Also See: IPL Points Table (Top 4 Teams Qualify for Playoffs)
Finally, addressing Ben Stokes’ form, Hussey insisted that Stokes has been training well and is available for selection. The decision to favor spin-bowling options over Stokes, a seam-bowling all-rounder, is simply a strategic response to the current pitch conditions.
As of now, CSK holds the second spot in the points table with six victories and four defeats. They have now 13 points. On the contrary, DC is in last place with eight points from four wins and six losses. The upcoming match will be a chance for DC to reach double figures. CSK’s last victory was against Mumbai Indians (MI), while DC claimed their most recent win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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