CSK‘s decision to go by instinct rather than stats in auction proves crucial
CHENNAI: Rachin Ravindra’s IPL career may be just two matches old, but the thrill-a-minute opener has already illustrated that he is a box-office T20 player in Indian conditions.
After enjoying a dream IPL debut against Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a 15-ball 37, Ravindra tormented the Gujarat Titans bowling attack by smashing 46 off just 20 deliveries.With back to back impactful knocks, the Kiwi batter has not only massively contributed to CSK’s successive victories but also ensured that the team is not missing the services of first-choice overseas opener Devon Conway (who is on the sidelines with a thumb injury).
Ravindra’s high returns are a reward for CSK’s forward thinking and smart work at the auction. Even though the southpaw displayed his batting might on Indian pitches in the 50-over World Cup last year, he amassed 578 runs in 10 innings to finish as New Zealand’s top-scorer many IPL franchises had reservations about his T20 game. The idea floating around was that Ravindra isn’t the biggest hitter of the ball and that he isn’t a T20 regular for New Zealand either.
But CSK, a franchise which makes decisions on instinct and does not rely too much on statistics, were not one of them. After outbidding Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, Super Kings purchased Ravindra for a bargain price of Rs 1.8 crore, a fee that a “surprised” yellow brigade initially thought would not be enough for him.
Having set the world’s best T20 tournament ablaze with his lightning-quick knocks, Ravindra is proving to be one of the steals of the season.
A “clear mind and positive attitude” has helped the 24-year-old flourish right from the beginning, according to Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey. “He (Ravindra) has had a great start and has been awesome to watch. He has come here full of energy and wants to learn so much,” Hussey said after CSK’s big win over Titans on Tuesday.
“He wants to make a positive impact on the team environment. He is enjoying his time and trying to soak up as much knowledge as he can. I think that he feeds off the crowd as well. Once he got a couple of good shots away (against GT), his confidence grew. He believed that he could perform on this stage. He has sort of grown from there,” added Hussey.
Ravindra said that batting belters at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have allowed him to play fearlessly. “As a player, you always want to take down the bowlers in the powerplay. It is the way I have worked. I have been lucky enough to get balls in my area. I have had two games on pretty good pitches, so I am going out there and expressing myself,” said Ravindra.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad (his opening partner) is very good to bat with and has a calm head. He keeps me in the match. The outfields are pretty quick, that is the beauty of the grounds in India. So, I go out there and react to the ball that is in front of me.”
CHENNAI: Rachin Ravindra’s IPL career may be just two matches old, but the thrill-a-minute opener has already illustrated that he is a box-office T20 player in Indian conditions.
After enjoying a dream IPL debut against Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a 15-ball 37, Ravindra tormented the Gujarat Titans bowling attack by smashing 46 off just 20 deliveries.With back to back impactful knocks, the Kiwi batter has not only massively contributed to CSK’s successive victories but also ensured that the team is not missing the services of first-choice overseas opener Devon Conway (who is on the sidelines with a thumb injury).
Ravindra’s high returns are a reward for CSK’s forward thinking and smart work at the auction. Even though the southpaw displayed his batting might on Indian pitches in the 50-over World Cup last year, he amassed 578 runs in 10 innings to finish as New Zealand’s top-scorer many IPL franchises had reservations about his T20 game. The idea floating around was that Ravindra isn’t the biggest hitter of the ball and that he isn’t a T20 regular for New Zealand either.
But CSK, a franchise which makes decisions on instinct and does not rely too much on statistics, were not one of them. After outbidding Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, Super Kings purchased Ravindra for a bargain price of Rs 1.8 crore, a fee that a “surprised” yellow brigade initially thought would not be enough for him.
Having set the world’s best T20 tournament ablaze with his lightning-quick knocks, Ravindra is proving to be one of the steals of the season.
A “clear mind and positive attitude” has helped the 24-year-old flourish right from the beginning, according to Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey. “He (Ravindra) has had a great start and has been awesome to watch. He has come here full of energy and wants to learn so much,” Hussey said after CSK’s big win over Titans on Tuesday.
“He wants to make a positive impact on the team environment. He is enjoying his time and trying to soak up as much knowledge as he can. I think that he feeds off the crowd as well. Once he got a couple of good shots away (against GT), his confidence grew. He believed that he could perform on this stage. He has sort of grown from there,” added Hussey.
Ravindra said that batting belters at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have allowed him to play fearlessly. “As a player, you always want to take down the bowlers in the powerplay. It is the way I have worked. I have been lucky enough to get balls in my area. I have had two games on pretty good pitches, so I am going out there and expressing myself,” said Ravindra.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad (his opening partner) is very good to bat with and has a calm head. He keeps me in the match. The outfields are pretty quick, that is the beauty of the grounds in India. So, I go out there and react to the ball that is in front of me.”
