IPL 2023: Matthew Hayden very happy with Devon Conway’s performances

The much-awaited rematch between the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023 is set to take place at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. In their first meeting this season, the Rajasthan Royals beat the Chennai Super Kings in a nail-biting three-run win at the Chepauk Stadium, denying CSK skipper MS Dhoni the chance to finish the game in a high-scoring thriller. As a result, the Yellow Army will now be looking to return the favour in Pink City.

After their defeat against the Rajasthan Royals, CSK bounced back by winning three games on the trot and climbed to the top of the team standings. On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royals are on eight points in seven games. One of the biggest reasons for CSK’s good show is the solid starts the team is getting from their opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway.

Speaking about Conway, former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden said, “Initially, I was worried about Devon Conway as he was taking some time in the powerplay while Ruturaj Gaikwad was playing the aggressor. But in the last few games, Conway has shifted the gears. At the start of the season, the opening partnership for CSK was going hot and cold but now there is consistency. Good to see that Conway, being a senior player, is taking the leadership role.”

Another significant factor in CSK’s resurgence is the leadership of their inspirational captain, MS Dhoni.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh spoke about the success mantra of the four-time IPL champion skipper, saying, “The winning mantra of MS Dhoni is that he backs the player at his best and favoured batting position. Dhoni backs the players to the hilt, and that is the reason why CSK is a champion team.

“He doesn’t deviate from his game plan frequently or after every match. The players need to have that belief and faith in the management and captain. Only then they perform, and MS and CSK team management understand it.”

In other IPL 2023 news, the Kolkata Knight Riders defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their reverse fixture on April 26 to go 2-0 against their old rivals in the season.

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan praised KKR captain Nitish Rana for his brilliant captaincy moves against an in-form RCB team, saying, “Nitish Rana’s captaincy has to be commended. It was a smart move to bring in Suyash Sharma in the third over after being in the attack against his strike bowlers. Rana knew that RCB’s batsmen don’t have a good record against spin in the powerplay and that’s why he brought in Suyash. He got success, and an impact player got out another impact player.”