Chennai: Chennai Super Kings spinner Noor Ahmad delivered a match-winning performance against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2026, marking a strong comeback after a quiet start to the season.
The Afghan wrist-spinner returned impressive figures of 3/21 in his four overs, playing a crucial role in CSK’s victory on Tuesday.
Dhoni’s Mentorship Behind the Turnaround
Behind Noor’s resurgence was a crucial intervention from CSK legend MS Dhoni. According to bowling coach Sridharan Sriram, Dhoni had an in-depth conversation with Noor during a practice session, focusing on improving his leg-break.
Sriram revealed that the discussion proved instrumental in helping the young spinner regain confidence and rhythm.
Technical Adjustments Pay Off
Sriram highlighted that Noor worked on adding more side spin and variation to his deliveries, which helped him exploit the conditions better against KKR.
“The wicket offered some turn and was slightly slower, which suited his style. He worked on getting more drop and revs on the ball,” Sriram said after the match.
He added that once Noor found the right length—neither too short nor too full—he became difficult for batters to handle.
Support from Teammates
The coach also credited teammate Akeal Hosein for pointing out key adjustments during the strategic timeout, helping Noor fine-tune his approach mid-game.
Early Struggles and Learning Curve
Before this match, Noor had struggled to make an impact, picking up only one wicket in his first four matches. Sriram noted that flat pitches this season made it challenging for spinners, limiting opportunities for turn and variation.
However, Noor’s ability to generate late movement and his willingness to learn have been key positives.
A Promising Prospect
Describing him as a “student of the game,” Sriram praised Noor’s preparation and analytical approach. “He studies batters, understands field placements, and plans his variations well. When he executes consistently, he becomes very dangerous,” he said.
With renewed confidence and backing from experienced players like Dhoni, Noor Ahmad is expected to play a bigger role for CSK as the IPL 2026 season progresses.
