Devon Conway Hits 1000-Run Milestone in IPL

Devon Conway added another feather to his cap on a bittersweet night for him, as he became the third-fastest batter in IPL history to reach 1,000 runs. The New Zealand opener hit the milestone during CSK’s clash with Punjab Kings, reaching the landmark in just 24 innings – only Shaun Marsh (21) and Lendl Simmons (23) got there quicker.

Since making his IPL debut with CSK in 2022, Conway has been a picture of consistency at the top of the order. By the time he reached his thousandth run, his numbers looked seriously impressive: an average nearing 48, a strike rate above 140, and ten half-centuries already under his belt. On the night, Conway played a patient knock, scoring 69 off 49 balls, keeping CSK in the hunt during a tricky chase. But what followed became the talking point of the match. 

With CSK needing 49 runs off the final 13 balls, Conway was surprisingly retired out. It was a bold and rare tactical move, sparking a bit of controversy. The idea might have been to send in a power-hitter, but Ravindra Jadeja – who replaced Conway – struggled to make an impact. Ironically, MS Dhoni was already at the crease and delivered a vintage cameo, smashing 27 off 12 balls, but it wasn’t enough. CSK eventually fell short by 18 runs, slumping to their fourth straight defeat. 

Adding another twist to Conway’s knock were the chances he survived. In the 12th over, Marco Jansen found Conway’s pads, and a flick shot went straight to Yuzvendra Chahal at short fine leg – only for the usually reliable fielder to spill a sitter. On the very next ball, Conway miscued a ramp shot towards deep third, but Yash Thakur couldn’t hold on either. While Conway etched his name in IPL history, the manner of his exit and CSK’s ongoing struggles made it a night of mixed emotions. On the other hand, it was a welcome return to form for Punjab Kings, who have now picked up three wins in four matches and are building momentum at just the right time.