Chennai Super Kings have been one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and their opening pair has played a key role in that. Following the departure of Faf du Plessis to Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the 2022 season, their new starting duo is Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, Conway and Du Plessis are set to open the innings for the same team in the inaugural Major League Cricket 2023 (MLC 2023).
The two star batters are gearing up for the season opener between the Texas Super Kings (TSK) and the LA Knight Riders on Friday, July 14. Meanwhile, ahead of the curtain raiser, the Kiwi wicket-keeper batter has poked fun at his CSK opening partner by taking du Plessis's name. After TSK's practice session, Conway said batting with the Proteas batter was great, adding that Gaikwad must be a little jealous of him.
“It is great to be amongst the group and getting some time in the middle. Yeah, batted with Faf (du Plessis) yesterday in the practice game, it was great to bat alongside him,” said Conway In a video released by TSK’s social media handle
“I know Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) is going to be a little bit jealous, but yeah it was great batting with him, just watching him go about his business. He smashed it from ball one. So, yeah a lot of good things to learn from him and just enjoying my time here with Texas Super Kings,” he added.
CSK openers were crucial in their title runs in 2021 and 2023
Gaikwad and Du Plessis have opened the batting for CSK in two IPL seasons and played a crucial role in the Chennai-based franchise's title run in the 2021 edition. The two right-handers combined for 756 runs and an average of 47.25 from 16 matches in CSK's comeback year.
Since 2022 season, Gaikwad has been opening alongside Conway and both have been instrumental in CSK's record-equalling fifth IPL title in 2023, adding 77 runs together. This left-hand right hand combination have been one of the most successful pair in IPL since the last two seasons, forming four hundred-run and nine fifty-run stands together.
Here's how fans reacted to Devon Conway's statement ahead of MLC 2023:
Legendery trio from different nations...🔥🤩 this kind of love ...🤩 unbelievable
— cricket lover (@creater_short) July 11, 2023
The same rutu said
— AnaND (@ItzAnand_) July 11, 2023
Pakka batting ki he baat ho rahi hy na ? Ni mtlb kuch b
— Hamza Amin (@HamzaAminKasuri) July 11, 2023
Csk has the best opening pair in the ipl so far.
— Ayush Singh (@ayushholic) July 11, 2023
Rutu Getting jealous😅😅
— Rahul (@AurojyotiMohan3) July 9, 2023
The tradition of Super Kings continues in Major Cricket League 2023!!#DevonConway #RuturajGaikwad #MLC2023 #Cricket #T20 #FafduPlessis #SkyExch pic.twitter.com/A3Om71vlr2
— SkyExch (@officialskyexch) July 10, 2023
Be it a practice game, Faf Du Plessis and Devon Conway scoring 100 in 8 Overs is some levels though!! 🥹#MLC2023
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) July 9, 2023
FAF - WAY is Happening !! 🔥🥶#WhistleForTexas #MLC #RaringToGo #FafDuPlessis #DevonConway
— Texas Super Fans (@TexasSuperFans) July 9, 2023
📸 @TexasSuperKings pic.twitter.com/qoNWuZRSyF