Hussey: CSK Aim to Sharpen Their Talent Scouting Process

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), known for reviving the careers of veterans like Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube, are now looking toward the future. With their IPL 2025 playoff hopes all but dashed, the team has turned to younger talent—most notably 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre and 22-year-old Dewald Brevis—to begin building for the next season.

Batting coach Michael Hussey acknowledged that CSK must improve their talent identification strategy. “It’s one area we’ve really recognised as needing improvement,” he said on Tuesday. “We want to get better at scouting and developing young players.”

Hussey explained that CSK have brought in a number of prospects for training and trial runs, not only to get a closer look at them before the auction but also to judge their potential in a real-world setting. “Watching players in person gives us a better sense than just relying on video clips,” he added.

Wednesday’s match marks a historic first for the IPL, featuring four uncapped Indian openers. After rotating through Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Rahul Tripathi with limited success, CSK have handed the reins to Mhatre—who impressed in a mid-season trial—and Shaik Rasheed, a debutant this season.

Mhatre, Rasheed, and Brevis were eased into the squad after undergoing match-simulation drills at CSK’s high-performance academy near Chennai, a facility that has also hosted players from New Zealand and the West Indies preparing for subcontinent tours.

“We want to replicate match pressure in practice,” Hussey explained. “It’s one thing to hit in the nets, but putting players in match-like conditions helps us make smarter, more informed decisions.”

Hussey emphasized that CSK’s investment in player development is a long-term strategy, not limited to the IPL season. “We’re keeping tabs on how these players perform in domestic competitions throughout the year. The goal is to help them improve and come back stronger for the next IPL.”

Mhatre has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two innings, though he hasn’t converted his starts. Rasheed made an encouraging debut with 27 off 19 but followed that with a first-ball duck. Brevis, after a slow start, showed promise with a 42 off 25 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Shaik’s a great example,” Hussey said. “He’s been with us for a couple of seasons. He’s got the talent, now it's about how he handles pressure. And yes, we’ll continue working with these young guys beyond the IPL window to help them grow."

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