Mike Hussey the Backup; A Tactical Master Stroke by MS Dhoni

Mike Hussey the Backup; A Tactical Master Stroke by MS Dhoni: Chennai Super Kings’s season had already begun before the first fixture was even played. MS Dhoni and the CSK think tank had made their first move at the IPL 2015 auctions by buying Michael Hussey for 1.5 crore rupees. Eyebrows were raised when they went for the 39 year old Australian who was allowed to leave the Mumbai Indians. But Chennai’s move has now translated into a master stroke.

Brendon McCullum was set to leave CSK at the Play Offs stage due to International duty and skipper Dhoni & the management knew that. They identified Hussey as the ideal candidate for the latter stages of the tournament as replacement for the outgoing McCullum. Since the Aussie was an integral part of the title winning CSK teams of previous editions. He joined MI for a single season in 2014 and was allowed to leave at the end of it. They grabbed the chance to get their former star back and that decision proved to be a worthy one as the team has now made its way to the IPL 8 finals on the back of a strong batting show by Huss.

The left-hander proved it again that age is just a number. Two failures in previous two games didn’t affect his confidence and he delivered a masterful innings in the 2nd Qualifier against RCB which effectively ensured that the Yellow team got over the finish line and are now set to face MI for the title clash in Kolkata, their 6^th in 8 seasons. He had to dig deep and use all his experience to steady the CSK batting ship and played a well timed innings to guide them to victory with a well deserved half century (56). Class players deliver when it matters the most and Hussey showed that form may be temporary but class is permanent.

Credit has to be given when it’s due and Dhoni deserves all the plaudits for his tactical master stroke of signing Hussey at the auctions. McCullum did a superb job before he went and Hussey ensured that his teammate’s efforts don’t go in vain. Good captains have great plans and are tactically brilliant but great captains have a backup Plan B, which is worth the bet to ensure success if the original plan fails. And Dhoni has just proved it yet again why he is one of the best leaders in world cricket.