Hussey pleased with Jadeja

CSK batting coach Michael Hussey was pleased at the manner in which Ravindra Jadeja bowled here on Saturday.

He said, “I thought he bowled beautifully today. I think the skipper has been showing faith in him and that’s been important, giving him the confidence. It’s nice for him to get the rewards today.”

Hussey added, “Being a finger spinner can be tough in Twenty20 cricket, especially with the scores being so big and the batsmen looking to hit mostly fours and sixes.”

On Harbhajan Singh’s bowling, Hussey noted, “He’s been doing a fantastic job for us through those middle overs. We based our team around spin to start with and we had the challenge of moving to a new ground, having to adjust to the conditions here.”

The Australian also believed Dhoni had the fastest hands in the business. “My observations are he’s got to be the fastest in the world against the spinners in taking the bails of. He’s unbelievably quick.

“He’s such an important player for team, obviously he’s the captain. He’s a fantastic keeper, he’s been in unbelievably good form with the bat, probably it is the best I’ve seen him play for quite a few years.

“He’s very calm, very relaxed, he’s very inclusive, tries to enjoy the tournament, gets the young Indian players to just enjoy their cricket. That’s why we play this game, to have fun and enjoy it. And MS really promotes that. Some days you win, some days you lose but let’s go out there and enjoy. Let’s play with a smile on our faces.”

On CSK qualifying for the play-offs, he said, “We are almost there.”

Parthiv Patel, who was fluent through the on-side during his fighting 53 for RCB, said, “I was batting at the nets and taking a lot of throw downs. So, I was confident. The support staff made sure that all the boys who are on the bench were completely ready. It was not an easy pitch to bat on.”