IPL 2024: CSK coach Michael Hussey comes in defence of Ravindra Jadeja over batting concerns

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has backed allrounder Ravindra Jadeja after his promotion to no. 4 in the batting lineup has invited criticism from the fans and pundits alike. Jadeja has been called out for his poor rotation of strike and inability to strike the long ball early in the innings.

However, the CSK coach downplayed the criticism saying Jadeja was playing a different role and that he was adapting to the various situations he had been sent into.

"He (Jadeja) is playing a different role. In the last few years, he had come in late to bat in the back end. This year, we have asked him to come in at the No. 4 position. Sometimes, according to the situation, you need to be free and go quickly," said Hussey.

"But other times, you can take a bit of time to build a partnership when a couple of wickets fall in the powerplay. He is doing a pretty good job of reading the situation and playing accordingly."

CSK lose two on bounce

Jadeja was given the additional batting responsibilities in the last two matches - both against Lucknow Super Giants. The left-hander walked out to bat after CSK lost two quick wickets in the powerplay and was forced to do the rebuild job.

"If you look at his (Jadeja’s) innings against LSG in Lucknow, he scored quickly. His fifty came off 30-odd balls, he was able to find the boundaries quickly. His strengths are working the ball into the gaps using the pace, running between the wickets and picking the right time to attack the right bowlers," added Hussey.

CSK will be up against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday (Apr 28) in a match which has enormous implications for the five-time champions. A win would bring their charge for the playoffs firmly back on track but a loss might heavily dent the pursuit.

The CSK outfit rarely does lose at Chepauk but the team capitulated in the last match where LSG were able to chase down 211 with relative ease.

CSK squad:

Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana, Shardul Thakur, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Richard Gleeson, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prashant Solanki, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, RS Hangargekar, Maheesh Theekshana, Nishant Sindhu, Aravelly Avanish

(With inputs from agencies)