Devon Conway is out for eight weeks due to a left thumb injury. On 22 March 2024, the IPL 2024 is scheduled to start. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will play the first match of the tournament.
On 22 March, they will face Royal Challengers Banglore at their home ground Chepauk in Chennai. However, before the opening of the IPL 2024 CSK faced a major blow, as their opening batsman Devon Conway suffered a thumb injury.
In the T20 against Australia, Devon Conway injured his left thumb and will now undergo a small fracture on the joint. Due to his injury, he is expected to be out for at least eight weeks.
Now CSK will have to find a new opening partner for Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, the good news is that they have plenty of options who can replace Conway. Below have a look at three such viable replacements for Conway as CSK opener in IPL 2024.
3 Players Who can Open for CSK in the absence of Devon Conway in IPL 2024
1. Rachin Ravindra
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has bought Rachin Ravindra in the auction of IPL 2024. He is also considered to be a very good pick by the MS Dhoni-led franchise. Rachin Ravindrahas already shown that he can play well in Indian conditions.
In the ICC World Cup of the last year, he scored over 500 runs for New Zealand. This also includes 3 centuries as an opener, who had come into the XI to replace the Injured Kane Williamson. Ravindra is a good batsman, who can assist his team with his left-arm spin.
He is considered the best utility player for CSK. For the squad, this could be a boon as they will be able to keep the youngster at his best at the top of the order. Rachin Ravindra is the ideal candidate to replace Devon Conway in the starting lineup.
2. Ajinkya Rahane
The next place, who can replace Devon Conway in IPL 2024 is Ajinkya Rahane. A former captain and vice-captain of the Indian test team, he is an international cricketer from India. In the IPL he has played, right from Mumbai Indians to Rajasthan Royals.
Ajinkya Rahane played at No. 3 for CSK last year and also had an outstanding outing, amassing 326 runs with a 172-strike rate. In T20s games, he has a quite pleasing record, playing as an opener, out of which 120 matches are in the IPL.
His ability to accelerate as well as carry the innings forward when needed makes him a valuable asset for CSK in the opening role. In IPL, he has scored 4400 runs in the IPL with two centuries and 30 fifties. His average is 30.99 and strikes at 123.42.
As an opener, he will give MS Dhoni the flexibility in the middle order to make changes as per the situation in the Match.
3. Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell is also one of those, who can replace the Devon Conway batting position due to his injury. During the ICC World Cup 2023, Mitchell showcased his hitting prowess at the top of the order.
He had made two centuries, both of which came against India, including one in the semi-final. The strike rate of Daryl Mitchell is 135.29 in 195 T20s making 4251 runs with 21 fifties to his name.
Due to his strength and ability to deliver big hits, many teams use Mitchell as a finisher. But considering the sharp mind that MS Dhoni has, he can use Mitchell at the top with Gaikwad. This is because it gives him some comfort and gives Mitchell the freedom to use the powerplay.
