CSK Star Opener Devon Conway Ruled Out Of IPL 2024 Until May, Set To Undergo Surgery

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

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

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

“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) said in a 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,” 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 part of the season will be a major loss for the MS Dhoni-led defending champions. The opener amassed 924 runs in 23 matches, averaging 48.63 with a 141.28 strike-rate for the Chennai-based franchise in the two 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 have to rejig their opening partner for Ruturaj Gaikwad due to Conway's unavailability as they begin title defence against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener on March 22 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.