Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey has insisted the veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni's position in the order won't necessarily be number four.
Dhoni is a key player in the Chennai batting order, which will also feature the left-handed Suresh Raina and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo during the 2020 Indian Premier League.
“Number four is ideal for Dhoni to bat, but everyone in the middle-order will need to adapt as per the situation. Not sure yet what the make-up of the team will be. Just focused on the preparation phase at the moment,” Hussey was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express.
Chennai's Experience is Impressive
The Super Kings have won the IPL three times. They lost last year's final to the Mumbai Indians, who have won the IPL on four occasions. The Chennai squad boasts plenty of experience, including South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson and Indian trio Murali Vijay, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja.
“We are lucky to have a lot of experienced players in our ranks who know their game well. They also know what they need to prepare and how to be ready for the task,” added Hussey.
“Of course, batting is our strength, but I feel we have a well-balanced team that covers all the skill sets well. It's not really that easy as everybody thinks. Every player will have to go there and adapt to the conditions.”
IPL Not in India this Year
The 2020 IPL will be played in the United Arab Emirates – Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. It was also held in the UAE in 2014. The tournament will be played without spectators, as a safety measure against the spread of the coronavirus.
New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner will also play for Chennai. Prior to travelling to the UAE, he will be part of the Caribbean Premier League. Santner is part of the Barbados Tridents' squad.
“At this stage we'll just fly straight across from the Caribbean. It'll be exciting to play some cricket again. It's been a slow winter but good to be at home for a bit and train and do all the fitness work,” said Santner.
