Massive Blow for CSK as Injured Devon Conway Ruled Out of IPL 2024 Until May

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first half of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) due to an injury.

The New Zealand batter suffered the blow on his left thumb injury during the T20I series against Australia last month. He was also ruled out of the first Test vs Australia in Wellington and now also misses the final Test of the series in Christchurch.

“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,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement.

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.

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 3, 2024

The left-handed star batter is set to undergo surgery this week and recover from his batting thumb injury. Devon Conway will take at least 8 weeks to make a return on the field which automatically rules him out till May 2024. However, the opening batter will be available for the Blackcaps for the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

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“We’re all feeling for Devon. He’s a massive part of the Blackcaps and we’re going to miss his presence both on and off the fields,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.

“We wish him all the best for his surgery and we will be there to support him as he begins his recovery,” he added.

Conway’s absence in the first half of the season will be a major loss for the CSK. The opener amassed 924 runs in 23 matches, averaging 48.63 with a 141.23 strike rate for the Dhoni-led team in 2 seasons.

He also struck nine half-centuries for CSK and was the highest run-getter for them last season with 672 runs from 16 matches, including a 47-run blitz in the final against Gujarat Titans.

CSK will be playing 4 matches during the first phase of the IPL 2024 season, including the curtain-raiser for the season against Royal Challengers Banglore in Chennai.

After the Match on March 22, CSK will face GT four days later at Chepauk before taking on Delhi Capitals in Vizag on March 31.

In Conway’s absence, New Zealand have roped in Henry Nicholls as a replacement ahead of the third Test. The Kiwis have also roped in uncapped Ben Sears in place of the injured William O’Rourke, deciding against a return from retirement for seamer Neil Wagner.

Watch: Fans losing clam after CSK captain MS Dhoni’s Training from nets, Viral Video