Chennai Super Kings received a significant setback to their IPL 2024 aspirations as their key player, Devon Conway, has been laid low by a finger injury. The New Zealand cricketer sustained a thumb injury during the second T20I against Australia. Initially, X-rays indicated no fracture, but further assessment revealed significant damage, necessitating surgery.
According to sources, the CSK management is in consultation with Brett Harrop, the New Zealand physio, to know the exact duration of Conway’s absence. As per initial reports, Conway was expected to be out of action until May. Conway, acquired by Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 auction for a base price of Rs one crore, has been a prolific performer in the IPL. Despite a slow start, Conway became instrumental in the 2023 season, scoring 672 runs at an average of 51.69 in 16 matches, with six half-centuries to his credit.
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CSK are yet to announce Conway’s replacement. In the following list, we’ll explore three potential players whom CSK might consider to fill Conway’s absence (in no particular order):
Phil Salt
Salt went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction after setting a base price of INR 1.5 crore. Despite scoring consecutive T20I centuries in the Caribbean, none of the 10 franchises displayed interest in acquiring his services. In the previous IPL season in 2023, Salt had a successful debut with Delhi, where he played a significant role in the team due to Rishabh Pant’s injury and Prithvi Shaw’s loss of form.
Salt showcased his prowess by scoring two half-centuries in nine matches at a remarkable strike rate of 163. Known for his explosive batting style, Salt is also capable of keeping wickets, similar to Conway. His aggressive approach at the crease makes him a valuable asset in T20 cricket. With his ability to accelerate the innings from the start, Salt could complement Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting style, as Gaikwad tends to take his time before attacking the bowlers.
Josh Inglis
Chennai Super Kings may consider Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis as they search for a replacement for Conway. Despite his impressive century against India in a T20I series last year, Inglis was surprisingly overlooked in the IPL 2024 auction. Renowned for his aggressive batting at the top of the order and his ability to handle spin bowling effectively, Inglis recently showcased his skills by opening the batting for Australia. With his dynamic batting style, he possesses the necessary qualities to excel at the top if given the opportunity by CSK.
Finn Allen
Another potential replacement for Conway at CSK could be New Zealand batter Finn Allen. Known for his explosive batting approach, Allen has been in superb form in T20 cricket, evidenced by his brilliant innings of 137 runs against Pakistan in a T20I match earlier this year. With an impressive record of 3203 runs from 113 matches at a staggering strike rate of close to 170, Allen is a player who doesn’t hesitate to take on the bowlers from the outset.
If CSK is seeking a player who can provide aggressive starts, Allen fits the bill perfectly. Considering CSK’s affiliation with New Zealand players, especially under the coaching of Stephen Fleming, adding Allen to their squad would be a logical choice for the Yellow Army.
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— RevSportz (@RevSportz) March 5, 2024