The Turning Point for Noor Ahmad
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had an otherwise forgettable start to the IPL 2025 season, but Noor Ahmad has emerged as one of the few bright spots. After finishing second on the Purple Cap table with 24 strikes, Noor’s journey this season hasn’t been straightforward. His breakthrough came during a high-stakes clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Chepauk, where he ripped through the lineup, returning figures of 3 for 21.
The transition from struggle to success was not accidental. Sridharan Sriram, CSK’s assistant bowling coach, highlighted that the wicket conditions at Chepauk played a significant role, but it was Noor’s hard work and guidance from senior players that paid off. Sriram noted that MS Dhoni’s involvement in training sessions, specifically focusing on getting Noor’s legbreak to go, was a catalyst for the change in his performance.
Overcoming a Rough Start
Noor Ahmad’s early season performance had been a challenging ordeal. In the first three matches, all of which CSK lost, Noor had failed to find his rhythm, returning 0 for 24, 0 for 38, and 0 for 49 across three games. Even in their win against Delhi Capitals, while he took his first wicket, his economy rate remained high at 12.00.
Sridharan Sriram emphasized the importance of aggression and putting ‘revs’ on the ball to induce mistakes from batters. He explained that once a bowler becomes defensive, batters typically take control. Noor’s focus on getting deviation off the surface, which has been working on, has finally begun to yield results, turning him into an attacking option for the team.
The Akeal Hosein Connection
Akeal Hosein, the other half of the spin attack, has featured in only two games so far, but CSK has won both matches in which he has played. Hosein, a powerplay specialist known globally for his level-headedness and economy rate of 7.17 over 275 games, is making a mark in his second IPL season.
The synergy between Noor and Hosein is what truly excites CSK. Sridharan Sriram described their relationship as one of ‘good camaraderie,’ stating that they both complement each other and communicate effectively. A key example of this partnership occurred during the match against KKR, where Hosein advised Noor on the exact ‘in-between length’ to bowl to maximize the effectiveness of theBowling surface.
“Today actually, I think Akeal was the one who went and told Noor about the exact length, that in-between length that he needed to bowl… once he found that in-between length, I think Noor was a little unplayable,” Sriram said.
Tactical Flexibility and Strategic Impact
Saba Karim, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, highlighted the tactical flexibility Hosein brings to the table. While most expected Hosein to bowl in the powerplay, CSK utilized him in the middle overs against KKR, a move that proved incredibly effective. Between the sixth and 14th overs, with Noor and Hosein bowling in tandem, KKR’s progress was slowed and they were reduced from 31 for 2 to 91 for 6.
Hosein’s craft is more than just simple slow left-arm orthodox spin; he is often described as a ‘slow swing bowler’ who gets the ball to swerve late in the air. Sridharan Sriram praised Hosein’s intelligence and preparation, noting that his arm-ball is particularly difficult for batters to navigate because of its late swing.
Conclusion: A New Weapon for CSK
The addition of Akeal Hosein and the resurgence of Noor Ahmad have provided Chennai Super Kings as a necessary attacking edge. By combining akeal’s analytical approach and the team’s aggressive intent, CSK is now far more competitive. With a strong partnership between these two spinners, CSK has a turn of the event in their the bowling attack that could lead them to a chance at the IPL 2025 playoffs.
