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3 CSK players who can Partner Ruturaj Gaikwad Post Devon Conway’s Injury
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a major blow as star opener Devon Conway has been ruled out for the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The New Zealand cricketer suffered an injury to his thumb and was forced to be sidelined from the ongoing two-match Test series against Australia.
According to reports, Conway will undergo surgery this week and his recovery period is estimated to be around eight weeks. That means the left-handed batter won’t be available until May. The tournament is set to kick off on March 22 with CSK taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at their home ground MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Conway, who won Player of the Match in the 2023 IPL final, is a vital cog in CSK’s top order. He has scored 924 runs in 23 matches, averaging 48.63 with a 141.28 strike rate. That being said, let’s take a look at three players who could replace the Kiwi wicketkeeper batter in the upcoming edition of IPL for CSK.
#3. Finn Allen
It was unfortunate to see an explosive young batter like Finn Allen warming the bench in the IPL. He was with RCB last season, but never got a chance to play a single game and was released ahead of the 2024 mini-auction. A destructive opener, especially in powerplay, Allen is the partner of Devon Conway on New Zealand’s side. In 42 T20I matches, the right-hander has scored 1093 runs at a strike rate of 163.87.
#2. Josh Inglis
Currently, among Australia’s best limited-overs performers, Josh Inglis went unsold in the mini-auction. Notably, the wicketkeeper batter recently scored his maiden T20I century against India. He can give CSK a good powerplay with his ruthless hitting. Inglis has scored 470 runs from 21 T20I matches at a strike rate of 152.1.
#1. Phil Salt
England’s Phil Salt was with Delhi Capitals but did not have a great outing and was released ahead of the 2024 mini-auction. But soon after the event, he proved everyone wrong by becoming only the third male batter to score back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals. The 27-year-old has scored 218 runs from 9 matches at a staggering strike rate of 163.91. His power-hitting can fill Conway’s void for CSK in the upcoming edition.