Noor Ahmad Spins Magic as CSK Rediscovers Its Chepauk Charm:

As Chepauk lit up with Europe's Final Countdown and Bryan Adams' Summer of '69, the crowd was reminded of CSK’s iconic past. But amidst the throwback energy and modern fanfare, 20-year-old Noor Ahmad delivered a spell that felt straight out of a classic Chennai Super Kings script—spin dominance at home.

Noor Ahmad’s Impactful Debut

Making his CSK debut, Noor Ahmad delivered his best-ever IPL figures, grabbing 4 wickets for 18 runs without conceding a single boundary. It was a show of control, deception, and pace, as the wrist spinner dismantled Mumbai Indians during the middle overs.

Tilak Varma: Beaten by a big legbreak, then trapped by a googly.
Suryakumar Yadav: Stumped after misreading one that spun the other way.
Naman Dhir: Bowled round his legs with another unreadable variation.

Strategic Auction Gamble Pays Off

Noor's heroics came after CSK made an aggressive move in the mega auction. They outbid MI and GT, eventually paying INR 10 crore after coach Stephen Fleming famously signaled “all ten fingers” to double Noor’s price. With Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin already in the squad, Noor’s signing underscored CSK’s determination to dominate spin at home again.

Spin Revival at the Fortress

In 2023, CSK’s spinners claimed 17 wickets at Chepauk, a decent number but down from their 2019 high. In 2024, the count plummeted to just five wickets in seven home games, resulting in their first-ever Chepauk season without playoff qualification.

But in just one match in 2025, CSK’s spinners equaled last season’s tally. Noor led the way in what assistant coach Michael Hussey would likely see as a course correction after voicing concerns over spin inefficiency last year.

The Chepauk Factor Returns

With Chepauk’s pitch offering turn once again and conditions expected to grow more spin-friendly, CSK looks to have recalibrated successfully. Noor brings a sharp wrist-spin edge with mid-90s kph deliveries, complementing Jadeja’s accuracy and Ashwin’s variety.

His spell didn’t just thrive on the conditions—it dictated terms. Even the seasoned MS Dhoni was visibly impressed when a sharp turner beat Tilak Varma. It was a statement performance that sets the tone for CSK’s home season.