Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with the news that star batter Devon Conway will be sidelined for at least the first half of the tournament. The New Zealand international is set to undergo surgery on his left thumb following an injury sustained during the T20I series against Australia.
Injury Update and Recovery Period
The setback was confirmed by New Zealand Cricket, which stated that Conway’s surgery was necessary after scans and specialist advice. The recovery period for the left-handed opener is estimated to be a minimum of eight weeks, ruling him out of action for the initial phase of IPL 2024. This means Conway will miss CSK’s opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22, along with several subsequent fixtures.
The statement from New Zealand Cricket read, “BLACKCAPS opener Devon Conway will this week undergo surgery on the left thumb he damaged during the KFC T20I series against Australia. Following several scans and specialist advice, the decision was made to operate on Conway with a likely recovery period of at least eight weeks.”
Replacement Plans
With Conway unavailable, CSK will turn to Rachin Ravindra as his replacement at the top of the order. Ravindra, who enjoyed a successful campaign in the recent World Cup, will partner Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK’s opening combination until Conway’s return to full fitness. The young opener will be eager to carry his momentum from international cricket into the IPL arena and make a strong contribution to CSK’s campaign.
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Speculation Surrounding MS Dhoni’s Future
Amidst concerns over Conway’s absence, there has also been speculation surrounding the future of CSK’s iconic captain, MS Dhoni. While Dhoni has not made any official announcements regarding his playing career beyond IPL 2024, his childhood friend Paramjit Singh recently provided insights into the veteran cricketer’s plans.
Paramjit Singh hinted that IPL 2024 could potentially be Dhoni’s final season in the tournament, adding to the intrigue surrounding the legendary captain’s future. Dhoni’s illustrious career has seen him lead CSK to five IPL titles, making him one of the most successful skippers in the competition’s history along with Rohit Sharma, who led Mumbai Indians to the five IPL titles.