Chennai Super Kings won their fifth IPL title, chasing down 171 against Gujarat Titans in a rain-curtailed game in Ahmedabad. The star CSK all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, smashed a six and a four off the final two balls of the chase to secure a thrilling five-wicket victory. Undoubtedly, the CSK players along with the opener Devon Conway were overjoyed, celebrating, chanting, and congratulating their teammates and loved ones.
Notably, Conway bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his 25-ball 47, which set up the run chase for the visitors. In the same vein, reflecting on the title win, Conway deemed the IPL 2023 win as the ‘biggest win’ of his career, while also sharing his experience with the MS Dhoni-led side so far. The 31-year-old also affirmed that the faith shown in him by the team management throughout the campaign has helped him bring out his best. As a result, this experience will help him prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup to be held in India, later this year.
“Personally, the biggest win in my career. An IPL final, nothing gets bigger than this. A lot of credit goes to fellow left-hander Mike Hussey. It’s nice to be in his shoes. It was a great experience. I was lucky enough to play a few matches towards the end of the IPL last year, so I got a taste of what it is like, what the pressure is like, and what the team expects from me. Also, having that support from the first game during this campaign has definitely helped me to be at my best and find my rhythm throughout the tournament,” Conway said during the post-match presentation.
I think it’s the best T20 win of my career: Conway
However, the fans of the New Zealand cricket team are seemingly upset by Devon Conway’s views and criticised him for rating the IPL higher than the ICC World Test Championship final win, back in 2021. Notably, the Kiwis defeated India to claim the ultimate glory. Meanwhile, Conway has now responded to the call, claiming that it was the ‘best T20 win’ of his career, but not his best in totality.
“I think it’s the best T20 win of my career, I wouldn’t say it’s my best win. But definitely the best T20 win or achievement of my career. Also, Test Championship final, to win it for New Zealand was definitely very special,” Convey told RNZ.
It is worth mentioning that Devon Conway became Chennai Super Kings’ second-highest scorer in a single Indian Premier League season. Conway finished the IPL 2023 with 672 runs in 16 matches. The New Zealand batter surpassed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 2021 Orange Cap winning record of 635 runs in 16 matches, to become CSK’s second-highest scorer in a single IPL season. He is now only behind former Australia batter, Michael Hussey, who scored 733 runs in the 2013 edition of the IPL.