I idolise Michael Hussey: Badrinath

Pune - Chennai Super Kings batsman Subramaniam Badrinath said that he idolises his teammate Michael Hussey.

“I take a lot of inspiration from him. He also played late for the country but played really well. He went on to play seven-eight years of international cricket, brilliantly. So I definitely look up to him and I actually idolise him,” he told IPLT20.com.

“I have always had chats with him, pretty long chats. We are similar type of cricketers, so it makes more sense to learn from him rather than any other cricketer.”

“The way he approaches the game and the way he finishes games is one of the reasons I am not getting to bat. Spending time with him in the dressing room, every moment I always keep learning from him. Not only this year but over the last five years,” he added.

Badrinath said Hussey advised him to enjoy the game even if he is not able to play for the country.

“Even if I don’t play for the country, any cricket I play, Hussey says, enjoy the game and try to do the best whichever team I you play for. He (Hussey) plays every match like it is his last so that is something that I have learnt from him,” said Badrinath.

Badrinath, who missed a few matches of Super Kings, played a crucial role as in his team’s 37-run win over Pune Warriors here at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium Tuesday. His 34-run innings and 75-run partnership with Suresh Raina laid the foundation for a competitive total.

“Getting to bat after three games, it felt good to get some time in the middle, good to get some runs. And it is good that the result went our way as well.”

“We assessed the wicket to be a bit slow and low, and it was not easy to play shots, so I and Raina decided to stay on for a while and take our time. Even if it was a run a ball it was fine, but not to lose wickets and keep rotating strike and keep going on. We know that we have power hitters behind us, we could make up. Keeping wickets was the key and for us,” he said.

Badrinath lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his whirlwind innings in the death overs. Dhoni struck an unbeaten 16-ball 45.

“It was difficult for a new batsman to come in and score runs straight away but MS (Dhoni) is in tremendous form. He just came in and smashed every ball. I think he is in tremendous touch and his confidence is showing the way he is playing. It all worked out well.”

“He thinks and keeps thing simple. He goes in with a clear mind. He just watches the ball and hits the ball. At the end of the day when you keep it simple that’s when you become a good finisher,” he added.

Badrinath said that he is hoping to get some big innings.

“Scores of 30s are decent enough in T20s but still I want to get 50s and take the team along with me. I have been wanting to get 50s and see the innings through with my batting. That is what I want to do and I am aiming at. That is why I was not satisfied with my knock. I wanted to keep going on and finish well for the team. But, as has been happening, this season that I have been getting out in the 30s. But I hope the good one comes around the corner soon.”