World Cup distraction for IPL players: Mike Hussey

The year 2019 proved to be the third instance when the premier franchise-based T20 Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament has preceded the ICC Cricket World Cup. Understandably, this has made teams worried over the fitness of their key players taking part in the World Cup. “Workload management” has been heard often this season for no team, including IPL hosts India, wants to lose an important member to injury ahead of the WC.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have an injury problem in hand and it involves none other than captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has had a back problem that made him miss a game in the tournament and he has even conceded that with the World Cup coming closer, he needs to be more careful about his back condition.

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CSK batting coach Mike Hussey has meanwhile admitted that the workload of players who are set to play the WC has become a distraction. And also added that the high-pressure T20 league is also the right stage to acquire the right mindset for the WC.

“I think it has been a challenge throughout the tournament. A number of players had the World Cup in their mind. But we told them to concentrate as much as they can here and in due course of time, the World Cup will come around,” Sportstar quoted the former Australian player on the eve of the CSK’s home game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday.

Hussey advised people to be better charged up in the IPL than take things lightly. He felt a strong intensity in the IPL will see players changing gears for the WC more easily than if they don’t. “It can be a distraction at times, but we have to deal with it,” he said.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chennai Super Kings will be up against Mumbai Indians on Friday. 
• Mike Hussey believes World Cup is distraction for IPL playing players. 
• Chennai is currently placed at number one spot in the points table.