Follow UsChennai Super Kings are in a proper rut this season after things not going their way, especially in batting. After losing seven games out of the nine they have played so far, CSK are on the last spot on the points table.
Due to the lack of runs from their top-order, which had Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Rahul Tripathi, the CSK management had to slot in Ayush Mhatre and Shaik Rasheed in the top order.
Speaking ahead of their game against Punjab Kings on April 30, CSK coach Michael Hussey felt that the team needs to look after and develop their young talents better so that they have a strong talent bank for the future, even if the chances of playoff qualification this year are slim.
“I think it's one area [talent identification and nurturing] that we've really identified that we want to improve on is that talent identification side of things,” Hussey said.
“We have had different players come in and train with us at various stages, almost on trial a little bit, but also when their names come up for an auction, then at least we've seen them, we've had eyes on them. I mean, we get sent all the videos, packages and stuff. But to be able to actually watch them in the flesh, it does give you a bit more to go on.
"If we can play some practice games, see them [youngsters] under pressure, we can make more informed decisions about the talent that we're looking at moving forward," Hussey added.
Hussey also emphasised that CSK won’t stop the process of nurturing the talents they have already identified, and are planning to keep a close eye on them even after the IPL during the off-season. He also highlighted the role played by the Chennai Super Kings Academy in helping the players improve.
“Yeah, even in situations like this [playoff hopes fading], as a coaching group, we're looking for ways that we can do things better as well," he said.
“And it's [the Super Kings Academy] a magnificent facility, that high-performance centre. It's a fantastic resource for us, so we should use it. And to be able to put players into situations in practice games that is closer to the match. I mean, we can bat in the nets, and that's fine but to expose them in a match situation at practice is closer to what they're going to experience in a match.
"Shaik Rasheed's a good example [of a young player coming through the ranks]," Hussey added.
"We've had him with us now for, well, at least a couple of seasons and he's a beautiful player. But you're right, we need to find out how he can go under pressure. So, yes, he's got his opportunity now, and, you know, he's handling it well at the moment. Like, obviously, he'll want to get some more runs towards the back end of the season. But he's certainly got the skill and the talent to be able to do it.
"We'll keep a close eye on them when they're playing their domestic stuff as well and keep working with them. It's not just working with them for this two-and-a-half months, it's still communicating and working with them throughout the rest of the year as well, and seeing how they're going, particularly in those pressure situations, seeing what their mentality is like."