Mumbai:Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey on Saturday said the franchise has got a balanced squad with all its bases almost covered for the IPL 2021 and is looking to start afresh after a forgettable outing in the last season.
The MS Dhoni-led CSK finished seventh in the points table in the 2020 edition and failed to qualify for the play-offs for the first time in the league's history.'I feel we have a very balanced squad that has most bases covered and with depth in most areas. The guys are in really good spirits and have been preparing extremely well,' Hussey was quoted as saying by CSK website.
CSK picked up six players including Ali and Gowtham at the February auction after buying top-order batsman Uthappa in a trade with Rajasthan Royals.Hussey said that the new recruits Moeen Ali, K Gowtham and Robin Uthappa were 'excellent additions.'
'I think they are all excellent additions. Moeen is an excellent all-rounder, Robin has a lot of experience and has been a quality performer in the past and Gowtham has some genuine talent that we can look to develop further,' he said.The Super Kings are one of the most consistent teams in IPL history, having qualified for the Playoffs in 10 of their 11 seasons, reached the final eight times and lifted the trophy thrice.
The former Australia batsman feels a good start in the forthcoming IPL would be nice because the players will then relax and play their best cricket with confidence.'A good start would be nice because the players will then relax and hopefully play their best cricket with confidence, otherwise the pressure can build up on everyone involved,' said Hussey.
Hussey said playing a block of matches at Wankhede would help the players settle and build confidence early in the tournament.'I think playing a block of matches in Mumbai will help the players settle and build confidence early in the tournament,' he said.
'The conditions at Wankhede are generally very good for both batsmen and bowlers, so hopefully we can start well and players can feel good about their games,' he added.The Super Kings are currently training in Mumbai where they play their first five matches of IPL-14 beginning with a game against Delhi Capitals on April 10.(UNI)
