Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey admitted that the 5-time champions need to improve in identifying and nurturing young talent.
Currently languishing at the bottom of the points table, CSK’s struggles this season have been largely attributed to an underwhelming auction strategy.
While the franchise has successfully revived the careers of seasoned players like Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube, it continues to face criticism for not investing enough in emerging talent.
‘I think one area that we’ve really identified that we want to improve on is the talent identification side of things,’ Hussey said.
‘So, 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,’ Hussey added.
The team recently handed IPL debuts to 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre and 20-year-old Shaik Rasheed after putting them through match-simulation training at their high-performance centre.
‘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 said.
The former Australia cricketer believes that though mistakes in recruitment are inevitable, the foundations being laid now can turn out to be a massive success in the future.
‘We’re still going to make mistakes, no question. But if we can make more informed decisions, then I think that will help the franchise moving forward. It’s 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,’ Hussey said.
‘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,’ Hussey added.