IPL 2024: Devon Conway ruled out, CSK name Richard Gleeson as replacement

IPL 2024: New Zealand opener Devon Conway was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, the organisers confirmed on Thursday. CSK signed England fast bowler Richard Gleeson as his replacement. CSk signed Richard Gleeson at his base price of Rs 50 lakh after the big blow was confirmed.

Devon Conway was expected to join the Super Kings side toward the business end of the tournament. The New Zealand opener, who played a key role in their IPL 2023 triumphant run, was ruled out of the first phase of the season due to a thumb injury. Conway underwent surgery to treat the issue after he picked up the injury while playing a T20I series for Australia against New Zealand in New Zealand.

"CSK have added Richard Gleeson to the squad for the remainder of the TATA IPL 2024. Gleeson has represented England in 6 T20Is and has 9 wickets against his name. Additionally, Gleeson has played 90 T20s and picked 101 T20 wickets," the IPL said in a release.

Gleeson, 36, recently played for the Gulf Giants in the second season of the ILT20. He picked up 5 wickets from 5 matches for the Giants. CSK's decision to bring in Gleeson is to add to their overseas pace-bowling armoury, keeping in mind Mustafizur Rahman's imminent return to Bangladesh. The left-arm pacer, who has picked up 10 wickets in 5 matches, will be available for CSK only until May 2.

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BIG BLOW FOR THE SUPER KINGS

Devon Conway has been one of the most consistent batters for the Super Kings since the mega auction in 2022. The left-handed opener has perfectly fit the bill at the top of the order, becoming one of Ruturaj Gaikwad's favourite opening partners. Conway played 23 matches for CSK and scored 924 runs, which included 9 half-centuries and a highest score of 92.

Conway's ability to attack both spin and pace worked wonders for the Super Kings, especially at home and slow pitches across the country in IPL 2023. Conway scored 671 runs in 16 matches at an average of 51 and a strike rate of close to 140 last year.

In his absence, another New Zealander in Rachin Ravindra has been opening the batting for CSK.

New Zealand would have wanted to be cautious with Conway, considering his important for their T20 World Cup campaign.

CSK SQUAD IN IPL 2024

Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Sameer Rizvi.

All-rounders: Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nishant Sindhu

Wicketkeepers: MS Dhoni, Aravelly Avinash

Bowlers: Mukesh Choudhary, Maheesh Theekshana, Simarjeet Singh, Mustafizur Rahman, Prashant Solanki, Shardul Thakur, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Ajay Mandal, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Richard Gleeson.