IPL 2025: Noor Ahmad Emerges as CSK’s Spin Sensation, Outshining Rashid Khan
CHENNAI: In the high-stakes world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) often play their cards close to their chest. Last year’s mega auction, however, saw them make a bold move that raised plenty of eyebrows. Shelling out a staggering Rs 10 crore for Afghanistan’s young left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, CSK seemed to gamble big. Gujarat Titans’ head coach Ashish Nehra, who had the ‘Right To Match’ card in play, smirked and waved off the bid with a gesture that screamed, ‘He’s all yours.’ Little did he know that this decision might come back to haunt him.
Halfway through the IPL 2025 season, CSK’s investment in the 20-year-old prodigy looks like a masterstroke, while Nehra’s Titans may regret letting go of a potential game-changer. With the legendary Rashid Khan—widely regarded as the greatest IPL spinner with 153 wickets in 127 matches at an economy of 6.95—struggling to find his rhythm, Noor has stepped into the limelight, donning the Purple Cap as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
In the six matches played so far, Rashid has managed just 4 wickets at a surprisingly high economy rate of 9.77 and an average of 53.75. Injuries over the past couple of years, despite a stellar T20 World Cup campaign last year, seem to have taken a toll on the Afghan maestro. Batters now appear to read him better, treating his variations like a medium-pacer’s stock delivery and capitalizing on a Slight dip in accuracy.
In stark contrast, Noor Ahmad has been a revelation for CSK, claiming 12 wickets at an economy of 7.12 and a jaw-dropping average of 14.25. His performances have been pivotal in turning around CSK’s fortunes after a shaky start to the season. On Monday, during a nail-biting clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Noor’s spell of 0/13 in 4 overs in the middle phase stifled LSG’s momentum on a slightly turning track. Even the explosive Rishabh Pant, one of India’s finest players of spin, couldn’t decode Noor’s mystery, as LSG’s projected total of 180-plus was reined in to 166/7.
While MS Dhoni stole headlines with a blistering unbeaten 26 off 11 balls to guide CSK home, the Man of the Match award handed to him left the legend amused. Standing behind the stumps, Dhoni had a front-row seat to Noor’s wizardry and remarked, ‘Why are they giving it to me? Noor bowled so well.’ High praise from a captain who has seen spinners of all kinds over his illustrious career.
Noor’s impact recalls the devastating spells Rashid Khan delivered in his prime. The young Afghan, who once learned the ropes under Rashid’s mentorship both at Gujarat Titans and for the national team, is now carving his own legacy. From dismissing the in-form Suryakumar Yadav with a deceptive delivery that had the batter stumped in the season opener (finishing with figures of 4/15) to his match-defining performance in Lucknow, Noor is proving to be CSK’s trump card.
CSK bowling coach Eric Simons couldn’t hold back his admiration, emphasizing Noor’s intangible contributions. ‘It’s not just about the wickets he takes, but the wickets he creates for the team. He’s bowling with incredible accuracy, varying his pace confidently. As a coach, I’ve faced countless spinners, but Noor is unreadable. That’s a priceless asset,’ Simons noted.
As CSK eye a top-four finish in IPL 2025 after a mid-season slump—recently securing their second win after five consecutive losses—Noor Ahmad’s enigmatic spin will be their biggest weapon. With 5 IPL titles under their belt, the Yellow Brigade knows the value of a match-winner. And in Noor, they might just have found the heir to Rashid Khan’s throne, or perhaps, a spinner destined to create a legacy even greater than his compatriot’s.