Noor Ahmad In Spotlight: How Big A Role CSK's IPL 2025 Stint Played In AFG Spinner's Resurgence?

Noor Ahmad with MS Dhoni in IPL 2025 [Source: AFP]

Afghanistan's premier spinner Noor Ahmad has been sensational with the ball in recent times. The left-arm chinaman bowler was one of the rare shining lights for Afghanistan in their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. 

On a track where Allah Ghazanfar and the experienced Mohammad Nabi went for 49 runs in five overs combined, Noor Ahmad emerged as the go-to spinner for Afghanistan alongside skipper Rashid Khan, finishing his four-over spell with excellent figures of two for 23. 

Not long ago, Noor Ahmad wasn't in the reckoning as a potent weapon in the middle overs. However, his recent performance, particularly since his association with IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, suggest significant improvement, as explained below. 

Noor Ahmad's Bowling Performance: Before And After Playing IPL 2025 For CSK

(Noor Ahmad's numbers in T20 format before and after joining CSK)

Key observations and inferences

• The data presented in the above table compares Noor Ahmad's performance in the T20 format before and after playing for the Super Kings in the IPL 2025. It's quite clear from the table that Noor Ahmad has been more efficient as a wicket-taker, scalping 1.4 wickets per innings after his association with the five-time champions. 
• Furthermore, he has conceded less runs per dismissal, as evidenced by the dip in his bowling average. The left-arm wrist spinner has also taken lesser number of deliveries to pick a wicket, as it is suggested by his improved strike rate. 
• It means Noor Ahmad has certainly become a more potent threat to the opposition with the ball after playing for CSK in the IPL 2025. 

---

ALSO READ

Noor Ahmad-Starred CSK Pays Tribute To Afghanistan Earthquake Victims

---

MS Dhoni and CSK's role on Noor Ahmad's resurgence

• In a recent chat with ESPNCricinfo, Noor Ahmad acknowledged how his association with the Chennai Super Kings shaped him as a bowler. Dhoni didn't set guidelines for his troops, giving them the freedom they needed to explore their strengths and implement them in high-pressure matches. 
• Also, Dhoni's complete trust on his abilities boosted his morale, helping him fine-tune the psychological aspects of the game, which he needed to transform himself into a match-winner. 
• Additionally, Noor was a part of Gujarat Titans and played 12 of his first 23 IPL matches at Narendra Modi Stadium, a ground that hasn't offered enough assistance to the spinners (32.59 per cent of the total wickets at an economy of 8.78). So, when he turned up for CSK at Chepauk, a more spin-friendly venue than Ahmedabad, he got the opportunity to work on his craft rather than just keeping things tight and trying to concede less runs. 

The game of googly vs leg break before and after injury

• In his own admission, Noor Ahmad explained to ESPNCricinfo that an arm injury in 2021 prevented him from bowling the leg break; so, he was over-reliant on the googly to deceive the batters. By this logic, he had become too predictable, with the batters playing for the googly and neutralising his spells comfortably. 
• However, since he has recovered from the injury, Noor Ahmad has worked on his problematic wrist. As a result, the leg spin is coming from his hands sharper than ever, making him a tough nut to crack for the opposition. 

Conclusion

Although Noor Ahmad's exponential rise as a bowler has been more noticeable since he started his journey with CSK, this isn't the only factor behind his renaissance. The bowler's knack for continuous improvement, the learnings from the legendary Rashid Khan have also played pivotal roles in his phenomenal transformation. 

---

ALSO READ

Most Wickets In T20 Cricket In The Year 2025

---