Raina can develop into a quality Test cricketer: Hussey

Sky is the limit for Suresh Raina, says his Chennai Super Kings teammate Michael Hussey, according to whom the Indian has it in him to become a quality Test cricketer, provided he keeps his mind blank and plays with freedom.
Hussey, who is the second highest run-getter in this edition of the Indian Premier League having amassed 640 runs, said the "talented" middle-order batsman does not have any limitations when it comes to his batting but, at the same time, believes it's tough to get into the Indian Test squad.
"I don't necessarily agree that he does have any limitations. The Indian Test team is a pretty tough one to get into. There are some quality batsmen in there. The only thing that I've been telling Suresh is to keep his mind clear and let his instincts take over," Hussey told IPLt20.Com.

"He's such a talented player but great players tend to keep their mind blank and play with freedom. If he does that in Test cricket, the sky is the limit for him," he added.
The former Australian batsman also dismissed suggestions that Raina is vulnerable to short balls.
"I don't agree with that as well. I have watched him play the short ball very well in T20 cricket. I have seen a lot of teams targeting him with the short ball and he generally dispatches them into the crowd. So, I don't think there's an issue there, to be honest. It's just all mental," he said.

At 37, Hussey has defied age and the common perception that the Twenty20 format is for the younger generation with a string of outstanding performances in this edition, which has helped his side qualify for the play-off stages.
Hussey said he doesn't think about being an explosive batsman but just sticks to his role of getting the team off to a good start.
"I'm not sure about being a dangerous batsman. I've got an important role of trying to get the team off to a good start and it's just nice to contribute. It doesn't happen all the time. In T20 cricket, you need a bit of luck along the way and it's nice that luck has gone my way in this tournament," he said.