CSK’s batting coach Michael Hussey is confident in the team’s depth to compensate for Devon Conway‘s absence in the initial phase of IPL 2024. Devon Conway, the New Zealand player, sustained a thumb fracture during the Australia series, rendering him unavailable for the foreseeable future. CSK has enjoyed success with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Conway as openers in the past two seasons. However, with Conway sidelined, the team will need to develop an alternative strategy.
The defending champions can explore other opening batting choices with players like Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane. Ravindra, a left-arm all-rounder, showcased his potential during the 2023 ODI World Cup. While he lacks extensive T20 opening experience, his left-right combination with Rahane adds depth to the lineup. Additionally, Ravindra’s spin bowling skills offer an extra dimension to the team’s strategy. Ajinkya Rahane has predominantly opened the batting throughout his career, notably for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While he has been batting at No.3 for CSK, Rahane is fully capable of performing as an opener.
We’ve got enough depth to be able to cover it in certain ways- Michael Hussey confident of finding a replacement for Devon Conway
Hussey has labeled both candidates as viable choices but has deferred the ultimate decision to head coach Stephen Fleming and captain MS Dhoni.
“We’ve got Rachin Ravindra, who’s coming in, who plays a similar style to Devon Conway,” Hussey said at the inauguration of the Pavit Singh Nayar Memorial All India inter-college T20 cricket tournament for men and women at Guru Nanak College in Chennai. There are other options as well. Ajinkya Rahane played so well last year. He could also move up the order,”
“So, I’m not sure which way the captain and the coach want to go at this stage. But, as I said, I think we’ve got enough depth to be able to cover it in certain ways,”
I was so impressed with the way he went about his game- Michael Hussey
Hussey commended Rachin Ravindra, highlighting his value to CSK after being acquired at a steal in the IPL 2024 mini-auction for just ₹1.8 crore.
“Well, I think during the World Cup was the first time I saw him and I was so impressed with the way he went about his game. Beautiful technique. Beautiful strokeplay. A real appetite for scoring runs, which I think is important as well,” Hussey said.
Rachin Ravindra showcased his batting prowess with a fluent 68 in his lone T20I against Australia, impressively batting at No.3.
He just wants to improve every single day- Michael Hussey on Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra joins a notable contingent of New Zealand players at CSK, including Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Daryl Mitchell, making up half of the team’s overseas players. Michael Hussey lauded Ravindra’s commitment to self-improvement, drawing parallels to Devon Conway’s approach when he joined CSK through the 2022 IPL mega auction.
“You can just tell he just loves the game. So, they’re the sort of players I love. Love talking to about the game. He wants to improve as well. He’s like a sponge. He just wants to improve every single day. Much like Devon Conway when he first came to CSK as well. So, really looking forward to working with him. Really excited to watch him play. And excited to try and help him get better and better and better as a player,” Michael Hussey said.
CSK will begin their 2024 campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, March 22.