Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are stuck in a rut, dropping five games in a row in IPL 2025, their worst streak ever. Sitting ninth, just above Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s batting coach, Michael Hussey, still sees a light at the end of the tunnel. With eight matches left, he’s banking on a turnaround to snag that crucial fourth playoff spot.
“We’re not throwing in the towel,” Hussey declared after CSK’s heavy defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday. “This is a long tournament. It’s all about momentum, and right now, we don’t have it. We’re not playing our best, no doubt. But things can flip fast. We’re working hard to build confidence, string some wins together, and sneak into the playoffs.”
Hussey’s game plan? Stick together and stay the course. “Now’s the time to rally as a team,” he said. “We don’t want to overhaul everything. Our players got to the IPL by doing what they do best. Asking them to change their style completely? That’s not us. CSK’s never been about panic moves, and we’re not starting now.”
Critics have jabbed at CSK for leaning on their veteran stars instead of giving young batters a shot. Some even whisper that the old guard might be past their prime. Hussey swats that idea away, pointing to past heroes like Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane, who shone brightly for CSK late in their careers. “Our guys still have plenty of good cricket left,” he insisted. “They can deliver big performances. As for the youngsters, we’ll bring them in when they’re ready—not just because we’re in a tough spot. We’re still fighting to go deep in this tournament.”
With head coach Stephen Fleming, captain MS Dhoni, and stand-in skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (sidelined but sticking with the squad), Hussey’s confident the leadership can steady the ship. He also had a message for CSK’s massive fanbase: don’t jump ship. “Our fans have been unreal since day one,” he said. “The team’s hurting, and we want to turn this around for them as much as for ourselves. We’re asking them to keep the faith.”
Hussey knows it won’t be easy. “We’ve got the talent to pull this off, but it’s going to take serious work,” he admitted. “This is when we find out who’s really with us.”
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