On the eve of the match against the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey backed Kartik Sharma — one of the two uncapped players the team bought for ₹14.20 crore this year — to come good sooner rather than later.

The Rajasthan batter had a tough start to his IPL career, managing 25 runs in his first three appearances before being dropped for a few games.

The Australian legend, however, felt that the youngster had great potential and just needed one good game. “I think he’s shown signs in the last couple of matches that he’s starting to believe in himself that he can perform well at this level. Hopefully, there’ll be a little breakout game that will give him that self-belief moving forward. We think very highly of him and love to give him as many opportunities as possible, and then watch him really grow into that CSK shirt,” Hussey said on Friday.