Happy to be back playing for Chennai Super Kings: Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey

Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey has said that he is open to playing any role that is asked of him by the team management at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 39-year-old was bought back by the franchise during the IPL auctions in Bengaluru in February after a mediocre season with the Mumbai Indians last year, where he could only manage 209 runs in 9 matches.

Earlier, Hussey had enjoyed a really successful time with CSK, playing for them from 2008 to 2013 and scoring 1691 runs in 46 matches. It was hardly a surprise then when the franchise decided to get back the left-hander for a sum of Rs 1.5 crore at this year’s auctions.

"I have not really thought about it (his role) too much. I need to sit down and have a chat with MS (Dhoni) and Stephen Fleming (coach) about what role they want me to play. At this age I just want to play whatever role that I can help the team, whether at the top or middle or helping the young guys on the field,” the former left-hander said after arriving in Chennai on Wednesday.

Hussey retired from international cricket in early 2013, but has kept himself active in the game by playing in T20 leagues like the IPL and Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Talking about the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), he said he was feeling fresh and was looking forward to it.

"I am still training, having been playing in the Big Bash back home. I am fresh and still training with the hope of doing well here. I have had a fantastic run in IPL and I feel happy to be back in the team," he said.

MS Dhoni treats both victory and defeat equally: Hussey

The veteran also had high words of praise for Indian captain MS Dhoni, saying that the 33-year-old maintained equanimity regardless of the end result and that he has got a great understanding of the game.

"Dhoni has got a great understanding of the game. Great understanding of the people. He is a very consistent character. If things are going really well he does not get too excited and if things are getting bad, he does not get bogged down too much. He is a very consistent personality. I think it is very important for a captain,” he said.

One of the few disappointing aspects about India’s 2015 World Cup campaign was the performance of Ravindra Jadeja, and Hussey felt that the lack of cricket in the lead-up to the World Cup did have an adverse effect on the performance of the all-rounder in the tournament.

"I think he was quite raw in the World Cup. It is not easy coming in at that position (seven) and it is a very difficult position to bat on. I think he has got so much talent. Once he gets his confidence up he would be alright. To me, he is a great player,” he added.

World Cup-winning Australian sides can't be compared: Hussey

Talking about Australia’s successful World Cup campaign, he said they had a very special group of 15 players at their disposal and it would be unfair to compare the present squad with those that won the tournament previously.

"I think Australia had a fantastic squad with so much balance and depth and so many great match winners. It was all about confidence and dealing with extra pressure to go after positive results. India did it in 2011 and Australia did it this year.

"But you cannot really compare (with Australian teams of the past). But the current team is a great team, no question. As I said the balance and depth in the team mattered most and the great match winners in the squad. From Australian point of view it was great to watch," he concluded.