Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey lauded Rachin Ravindra and Deepak Hooda for taking their exclusion from the playing XI sportingly in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Ravindra was left out of the team during CSK’s last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Hooda has been in and out of the side, having featured in just four out of the nine fixtures so far.
While Ravindra kicked-off the tournament with a match-winning half century against Mumbai Indians (MI), Hooda failed to leave a mark with 22 being his highest score.
On the eve of CSK’s match against PBKS at Chepauk, Hussey emphasized how the duo took their snub sportingly and were happy to work on their game.
“I actually have to really take my hat off to those guys you mentioned, both Rachin and Hooda. Their attitude has been first class, obviously disappointed to come in and out of the team. They could have easily just complained and moaned and just not been interested for the rest of the season. But their attitude towards training and improving has been unbelievable. I mean, just watching Deepak Hooda go about his work over the last few weeks, even when some younger players were getting an opportunity ahead of him, he was genuinely happy for the new players coming in. I think that speaks volumes of his character,” said Hussey in the pre-match presser.
“Rachin, yeah, he has spoken a lot about he had a choice. He could either just be angry and grumpy about getting left out of the team, or he can use this last 3 or 4 weeks or whatever it is, to improve his game, work on some new shots. If he gets to play again, then fantastic. If he doesn't, then he still wants to use this time to improve his game. Again, it speaks volumes of his character,” he added.
Ravindra was axed from the last fixture after he aggregated 191 runs from eight matches at an average of 27.28. In his place, the CSK management decided to open with Ayush Mhatre and Shaikh Rasheed.
It remains to be seen if the five-time champions will continue to back the young opening duo for their next game against Punjab Kings on Wednesday (April 30).
