The defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been handed a massive blow less than three weeks out from the start of the IPL 2024 season as opener Devon Conway has been ruled out until May due to a finger injury.
Cricbuzz confirmed on Monday morning that Devon Conway will be out of action for at least the next eight weeks, meaning that he will miss more than half of the IPL 2024 season, which will get underway on March 22 at Chepauk.
Conway, aged 32, suffered a thumb injury during the recent home T20I series against Australia. He subsequently missed the first Test, which the Kiwis lost by 172 runs in Wellington.
Now, it has been learned that the player and New Zealand Cricket board’s medical team have decided that Conway will have to undergo surgery on his left thumb that will keep him away from action until May.
Devon Conway was a crucial cog for CSK last season in their fifth IPL title win. The left-handed opener scored 672 runs in IPL 2023 at an average of 51 and strike rate of 139, notching up 6 fifties in the tournament. He was the Player of the Match in the final against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad for his 25-ball 47-run sizzling innings.
Can CSK pick a replacement player for Devon Conway?
No. The IPL doesn’t allow partial replacements. CSK can only pick a replacement player for Devon Conway if the left-hander is ruled out completely from the tournament, or if CSK pick a replacement, then Conway cannot participate in the competition.
With the IPL to start on March 22 and conclude by May 26, and Conway ruled out till May, CSK may want him to play as many games as he can. They do have other opening options in their squad such as Moeen Ali, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell; Mitchell Santner is a left-field opening option too.
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