Hussey still hopeful of CSK bagging a playoff spot

Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey is still hopeful of his side bagging a playoff spot in IPL 2025. CSK are currently on their worst run in IPL history, having lost their fifth successive game on Friday (April 11). As a result, they are languishing in the ninth spot, marginally above Sunrisers Hyderabad on net run rate.

However, with eight matches still left, Hussey believes CSK can still scrape through to fetch that fourth spot by the end of the league stage. "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."

Hussey also reiterated the need to stick together as a group and not enforce massive changes in order 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."

CSK have particularly been criticised for sticking to the experienced core and not handing opportunities to some of the young batters in their squad. When suggested if some of those experienced players are past their prime, 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 the franchise in the past.

"We have had players in the twilight of their career come and play at CSK in the past," Hussey noted. "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.

"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."

The former Australian batter is confident that head coach Stephen Fleming, skipper MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad (who will continue to stay with the team despite being ruled out) will keep the team together in tough times and has called for CSK's massive fanbase to stay behind the team during these tough times.

"We still believe we've got the talent in the dressing room to turn this around," he said. "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."