Noor Ahmad, the young Afghan spinner, made a dream debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their IPL 2025 opener against Mumbai Indians — and he wasn’t shy about crediting MS Dhoni for helping him make it happen.
A Debut to Remember
Chennai Super Kings kicked off their season with a thrilling four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, chasing down 156 runs with just five balls to spare. Rachin Ravindra’s match-winning six stole the finish, but Noor Ahmad’s performance with the ball was the real game-changer.
The 19-year-old spinner, who was picked up for a whopping ₹10 crore at the IPL auction in Jeddah — the highest bid for any CSK player this season — didn’t disappoint. He ripped through Mumbai’s middle order, finishing with astonishing figures of 4/18 in his four-over spell. His victims included star batter Suryakumar Yadav and young sensation Tilak Verma.
“It feels special to play here in the IPL. Happy for the team and happy with the contribution,” Noor said after the match. “The focus was to land the ball in the right area, and the wicket of Surya was special.”
Dhoni’s Magic Behind the Stumps
For many, MS Dhoni’s influence goes beyond captaincy — and Noor was no exception. The young spinner couldn’t stop praising the former skipper’s role in his success, especially the jaw-dropping stumping of Tilak Verma.
“The stumping from Dhoni was out of this world,” Noor said, smiling ear to ear. “He’s been a great support, guiding me on where to bowl and what to do next. It’s a dream to play alongside him.”
The moment in question? A lightning-quick dismissal where Dhoni, in his signature style, whipped the bails off in a blink. It was a classic Dhoni move — cool, calculated, and devastatingly effective.
Big Price Tag, Bigger Performance
When CSK shelled out ₹10 crore for Noor, many raised eyebrows. After all, he was still an emerging talent. But Sunday’s performance silenced any doubters. He bowled with precision, mixed his speeds beautifully, and looked unshakable under pressure.
Let’s break it down:
- 4 overs, 18 runs, 4 wickets — a dream debut by any standard.
- Economy rate: 4.5, one of the lowest in the match.
- Key scalps: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Tim David, and Ishan Kishan.
Even in a squad filled with seasoned match-winners, Noor’s performance stood out. CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming praised him, calling the performance “fearless and mature beyond his years.”
CSK’s Spin Arsenal Looks Stronger Than Ever
With Noor now complementing Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana in the spin department, CSK suddenly looks terrifying for opponents on slower pitches. The Chepauk track, known to favor spinners, might just become their fortress again.
What makes Noor particularly dangerous is his left-arm unorthodoxy. He has the control of a veteran, the variations of a mystery spinner, and the courage of a youngster with nothing to lose. Add Dhoni’s tactical brilliance to the mix, and CSK may have struck gold.
It’s not just Noor’s bowling that’s impressive — it’s his mindset. “I’m here to learn from the best,” he said. “Dhoni bhai gives me confidence. When he’s behind the stumps, you feel like you can do anything.”
