It has been a brilliant start for Rachin Ravindra in IPL 2024 and the New Zealand all-rounder contributed massively to his side's victories in the first two games of the competition. Ravindra got good starts on both occasions and narrowly missed out on scoring half-centuries. Ravindra was picked by CSK for Rs 1.8 crore in the auction and he believes that the mindset of the franchise that makes it so successful. The five-time champions have started the tournament on a positive note and Ravindra revealed that the team does not have a strict hierarchy and they can have good conversations with the coaches.
"It was pretty special. I think when we were watching the auction and as soon as it (getting signed by CSK) happened, I had Dave call me, Santner messaged me and then obviously, Flem (Fleming). So that's pretty cool... a lot of the lads, not just the overseas guys, but the Indian guys are such good people. So it's very easy to get along with people in a team like this," Rachin said on joining CSK.
He also spoke about how Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni are always available for conversations.
"It's more from players being able to be comfortable, players knowing their roles and quite a relaxed environment, which makes everyone feel a bit more chill and can get along a bit better, and doesn't feel like it's a hierarchy because you can always have a nice conversation with Flem if you want to, you can have a conversation with Hussey, you can have a conversation with MS Dhoni, you can have a conversation with Rutu. It's all pretty chill, which for me, helps me a lot means I can come in and just not try to be anyone else. I can just be myself in that environment and let it happen," Rachin added.
Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey said that the 'Impact Player' rule has lengthened their batting order, allowing former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to come in as late as number eight during this IPL.
The 'Impact Player' rule, introduced from 2023 edition, allows each franchise to name five substitutes, one of whom could come on as a substitute during the course of the match.
Playing against Gujarat Titans here on Tuesday, CSK managed to post a match-winning total of 206 for six.
However, with seven batters coming out to bat, there were no signs of Dhoni coming in even as his fans got a bit impatient.
"It's definitely been a directive from head coach (Stephen) Fleming to keep pushing the game forward. The 'Impact Player' has lengthened the batting order, with MSD at number eight, which is crazy, and he is batting well (in the nets) at the moment," Hussey told reporters during the post-game media interaction.
"Because of this, the batters up the order can take the positive (attacking) route. They certainly have the backing from the coaches and the captain. Even if they get out doing so, it's fine, and they won't be criticised. We want to keep playing fast."
(With PTI inputs)