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CSK’s IPL 2024 Campaign Takes Hit: Devon Conway Ruled Out Until May Due to Injury

Three weeks before the commencement of their title defense, the Chennai Super Kings were dealt a serious injury blow when their opener, Devon Conway, was declared out of the lineup until May. Following the news that he had surgery on his left thumb last week, Conway—named player of the match in Chennai’s victory over the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 championship—will miss nearly eight weeks of action. Conway missed the current Test series after suffering a thumb injury during the Twenty20 International series against Australia. The choice to have surgery was made after consulting with a physician. The left-handed opener won’t be available for more than half of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which begins on March 22 with CSK taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, as the recovery period is predicted to be approximately eight weeks.

Conway made his IPL debut in 2022 after CSK won the New Zealand player at the Mega Auction for a starting price of INR 1 crore. He had nine fifty-seven runs and 924 runs at 48.63 in 23 games for the team. His greatest season was the previous one, when he scored 672 runs in 16 games, including six fifties. Conway’s absence means CSK may give fellow New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra, who went for INR 1.8 crore at the auction in December after a brilliant performance at the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in India, a chance.

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During the Twenty20 International match against Australia, Ravindra also experienced a near-accident as he was benched for the second game due to knee discomfort. Nevertheless, he recovered in time to play for New Zealand against Australia in the opening Test match, winning fifty runs in the second innings in Wellington. The IPL unveiled the schedule for the 2024 season’s first 21 games last month. The remaining schedule shall become accessible upon declaring the dates for the general elections in India. CSK will play four games in this span against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, and RCB. They will play two at home and two away in their first two games.