Noor Ahmad Shines in IPL Debut as CSK Defeats Mumbai Indians

Noor Ahmad's Impressive IPL Debut

On March 23, Afghan cricketer Noor Ahmad made his debut for the Chennai Super Kings in a match against the Mumbai Indians, expressing gratitude for his team's victory and the two points earned.

Noor shared that he has felt welcomed since joining CSK, noting the relaxed atmosphere within the franchise. He stated, “I’m thankful for the two points; it was crucial. I’m pleased with my contribution today. All the bowlers performed excellently, and the batters did their part as well. Since arriving here, I haven’t felt out of place; everything is smooth and relaxed. It’s my first experience with this franchise, and I’m thrilled to be here. My favorite moment was taking Surya's wicket; MS's stumping was electric and incredibly fast,” as he mentioned in a video shared by IPL.

Indian pacer Khaleel Ahmed also made his debut for CSK in this IPL season, taking the field against the Mumbai Indians. He expressed his long-standing desire to play for CSK and his happiness at being part of the team. Khaleel emphasized his aim to prove himself, especially with the trust shown by MS Dhoni and the CSK management. He took three wickets during the match, with Rohit Sharma's wicket being the highlight for him.

“I’m thrilled; CSK is a new chapter for me, and wearing the yellow jersey has always been a dream. Winning my first match feels fantastic, and I want my IPL season to kick off positively. Mahi bhai and CSK have believed in me, and I aim to prove my worth. I look forward to learning from him both on and off the field. Rohit Sharma was my favorite wicket; my strategy was straightforward: take wickets in the powerplay. Initially, I sought swing, but when that didn’t happen, I focused on bowling around the stumps,” Khaleel Ahmed stated in an IPL video.

Chennai Super Kings secured a four-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at Chepauk, thanks to Noor Ahmad's impressive bowling performance and a solid 65* from Rachin Ravindra. Noor took 4 wickets for 18 runs, while Khaleel contributed with 3 wickets for 29 runs. Ellis and Ashwin also claimed one wicket each. In IPL 2025, Noor Ahmad's outstanding spell helped restrict MI to 155/9, which CSK successfully chased down, led by Rachin Ravindra's 65* and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's 53.