Demands of T20 made me more adventurous, reveals Chennai Super King's batting star Michael Hussey
At 37, when most players are putting their final touches to their retirement plans, Michael Hussey is too busy leading the way in a format which many feel is meant more for the younger generation.
Michael Hussey is the second highest run-getter currently, in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. The modest Australian says that while continuing hard-work is his secret to success, his IPL team - Chennai Super Kings - has many other successes in other formidable players.
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In an interview published on iplt20.com, the 37-year-old Australian explained how he was not an aggressive batsman throughout his career and that the T20 format made him mould his style.
"I think it (aggressive batting) slowly developed over time. I was very much a defensive player when I first started playing. Probably learning to play in different formats of the game and different situations teaches you to try and be a bit more adventurous," he said.
Hussey's 640 runs from 14 innings at an average of 53.33 has played a key role in Chennai's fortunes in the ongoing tournament. Batting at the top, he has five fifties to his credit. The real credit for his team's resounding form though, according to him, lies with other star performers too.
"De Villiers is a freak of a player! He's one of my favourite batsmen in the world. He can hit fours and sixes all around the ground," he said, adding that Suresh Raina too is a powerful player.
"The only thing that I've been telling Suresh is to keep his mind clear and let his instincts take over. He's such a talented player but great players tend to keep their mind blank and play with freedom."
Hussey's skipper, MS Dhoni, also recently said that he likes to keep his mind blank and visualize a match before its played. With his opener in sublime form, the 'visions' must already be reflecting the trophy for the skipper, team and most importantly - CSK fans.