Devon Conway, the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) leading run-scorer in the 2023 Indian Premier League, is expected to miss at least the first part of the 2024 campaign due to a thumb injury.
In IPL 2023, Devon Conway racked up 672 runs. He averaged 51.69, with a strike rate of 139.71. He even won Player of the Match in the final against Gujarat Titans. Conway is set to have an operation for an injury. Doctors think it’ll take about eight weeks to get better.
In Devon Conway’s absence, the Super Kings must find an appropriate opening partner for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has formed a strong combination with the experienced Kiwi. Fortunately, students have several alternatives to select from.
Here are three guys CSK might attempt as openers instead of Devon Conway in the IPL 2024.
3. Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali’s greatest years at the plate appear to be behind him, but a promotion up the order might rejuvenate the left-hander’s career in that regard. His greatest season with CSK came in 2021, when he played No. 3 and helped the team enhance their powerplay.
Moeen and Gaikwad may open, adding spunk upfront. Gaikwad is conscious about pacing his innings. Moeen, on the other hand, has won MS Dhoni’s confidence. He is likely to be included in the team, regardless of his present batting form. The reason being, he is the only specialist off-spinner the team has at their disposal.
Opening with Moeen would let CSK to deploy Daryl Mitchell in the middle order while filling the two foreign places with Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana. This would ensure that all bases are covered in the middle order and bowling lineup.
2. Rachin Ravindra
If CSK believes Rachin Ravindra is capable of instantly stepping up to the IPL level, he might be used as a direct replacement for Devon Conway. The teenager has recently been in brilliant form across formats, and his T20 game is only going to get better.
Ravindra has shown to be a good spinner who can also handle lateral movement with the new ball. If the Super Kings want an additional spin option from their Devon Conway substitute, the all-rounder might fill in with a few overs.
This is doubtful, however, because CSK has many other offshore choices, and Ravindra is not a polished product in T20 cricket. Nonetheless, he’s an appealing choice.
1. Ajinkya Rahane
Perhaps the most obvious decision for CSK would be to pair Gaikwad with a pace-hitter, as they have done for several seasons. There are few hitters in the squad who can fill that position like Rahane.
He was a sensation in the IPL 2023, taking the opposing fast bowlers all over the field. He scored 326 runs in 14 games at an average of 32.6 and a strike rate of 172.49, including two fifties and several key cameos.
Ajinkya Rahane is no stranger to opening the batting in the IPL and might take advantage of the powerplay. He might also develop a fruitful collaboration with Gaikwad, whose skills match his own.
This would also allow CSK to use their foreign slots in the middle and lower orders, resulting in a win-win situation.
