Noor Ahmad Revives CSK Script with Dominant Performance

The opening night of the new season at Chepauk saw a nostalgic turn as massive new tifos were unfurled in the stands, accompanied by Europe's Final Countdown and Bryan Adams' Summer of 69. However, it was 20-year-old Noor Ahmad who stole the show, reviving a classic CSK script in the takedown of Mumbai Indians.

Noor's performance was a significant departure from the team's struggles in the previous season, where they failed to make the playoffs. In contrast, CSK's spinners matched their entire 2024 tally in just the opening game of the 2025 season, with Noor leading the way.

The young spinner accounted for four wickets, giving away just 18 runs and no boundaries off the bat. His performance was laced with irony, as he faced off against the franchise that CSK outlasted in a bidding battle at the recent mega auction to acquire his services.

CSK's decision to sign Noor was a bold move, with the team willing to double his valuation to INR 10 crore. The signing was seen as a sign of intent, with the team looking to cover all spin bases. Noor offered a point of difference by bringing both edges of the bat in play while also transcending the pitch with his wrist spin.

Noor's performance was a validation of CSK's strategy, as he proved unhittable through the middle phase of the game. Even MS Dhoni was beaten by a big margin when Noor ripped a big legbreak past Tilak Varma's heave. The young spinner's pace in the mid-90s (kph) made him a menace to deal with for MI's batters, and a portent for future opponents.

For a franchise that has built so much of its identity around home dominance, Noor's best-ever IPL figures in a strong spin show felt like a gentle restoration of order.