CSK opener Devon Conway ruled out of IPL 2024 until May

New Zealand and Chennai Super Kings opener Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first half of the upcoming IPL 2024 season after suffering a thumb injury.

The left-handed Conway, player of the match in the IPL 2023 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad last year, suffered a thumb injury during the recently-concluded T20I series against Australia at home.

The 32-year-old was consequently ruled out of the ongoing two-match Test series. Conway is set to undergo a surgery this week.

“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 (NZC) confirmed in their statement.

“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 field,” Kiwi head coach Gary Stead added.

With an estimated recovery period of eight weeks, Conway is likely to miss the first phase of the IPL, due to begin in Chennai on March 22. Defending champions CSK will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Conway’s absence will force CSK to restructure their composition with the southpaw having previously forged a formidable pairing at the top with Ruturaj Gaikwad. In just two seasons in the IPL with the Super Kings, Conway racked up 924 runs in 23 matches, averaging 48.63 with a 141.28 strike-rate. He has struck nine fifties an was the highest run-getter for CSK in 2023, with 672 runs from 16 matches, including a quickfire 47 in the final.

In Conway’s absence, New Zealand have roped in Henry Nicholls as 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.

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