Disappointed New Zealand fans have made Devon Conway backtrack from the recent remark he made after helping Chennai Super Kings win the recently-concluded edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Black Caps opener played a key role in Chennai Super Kings’ record-equaling fifth IPL title. He finished the campaign as Chennai Super Kings’ highest run-scorer. Only two batsmen scored more runs than Devon Conway as he ended IPL 2023 with an impressive 672 runs in 16 games. The New Zealand star hit 6 fifties and scored his runs at a strike-rate of almost 140.
In the final too, he played a crucial knock when Chennai Super Kings were chasing an improbable 171 in just 15 overs. The opening batsman smashed 47 off just 25 balls to give Chennai a flying start and was adjudged the Player of the Match. Following the triumph, an emotional Devon Conway went on to claim that the win was ‘greatest in his career’.
“It was a long time to wait, very nervous but Rutu (Gaikwad) and I plotted how we’ll go about it. Personally, is the greatest win in my career. IPL final, doesn’t get bigger than that. Lot of credit to Mike Hussey, fellow left-handed player. Nice to be in his shoes,” Conway was quoted as saying by ANI after the match.
New Zealand fans unhappy with Devon Conway:
While Chennai Super Kings fans must have liked Devon Conway’s comment, it did not go down well with some New Zealand fans. The fans did not hide their disappointment and pointed out that he was a part of the team that beat India in 2021 to win the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship.
Following the backlash from the fans at home, Devon Conway backtracked from his statement and called the IPL triumph his greatest in the T20 format. Speaking to RNZ, the opener said that the Test Championship final was very special for him. He, however, made sure to call the IPL triumph as the best of his T20 career.
“I think it’s the best T20 victory of my career, I wouldn’t say it’s overall my best. But certainly best T20 victory or achievement in my career,” Conway said.
“I think the test championship final, winning that for New Zealand was certainly very, very special,” he added.
Speaking further, Conway shared his experience of playing in the IPL and what helped him do well with the bat in IPL 2023.
“It was a great experience, I was fortunate enough to get a few games towards the back end of the IPL last year, so I got a taste of what it’s like, what the pressure is like, what the team expects of me as a player batting in the top order,”
“Getting that backing [to open] from the first game throughout this campaign certainly helped me put my best foot forward and create momentum throughout the tournament.”