Devon Conway withdraws "IPL 2023 greatest win of career" statement after facing backlash from New Zealand fans

CSK opener Devon Conway was the Player of the IPL 2023 final for his 47-run knock against GT.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Devon Conway had to backtrack on a comment he made in the elation of his team winning the IPL 2023 recently after he received backlash from the New Zealand team fans as he termed the IPL 2023 win his “greatest win in my career”.

Conway finished the tournament as the third-highest run-getter, scoring 672 runs in 16 matches at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of nearly 140. He was also named the Player of the Final for his knock of 47, as CSK chased down the revised target of 171 in 15 overs after he had added a quick 67 runs with Ruturaj Gaikwad for the opening wicket.

"It was a long time to wait, very nervous but Rutu (Gaikwad) and I plotted how we'll go about it. Personally, is the greatest win in my career. IPL final, doesn't get bigger than that. Lot of credit to Mike Hussey, fellow left-handed player. Nice to be in his shoes," Conway was quoted as saying by ANI after the match.

Given that he was a member of the New Zealand team that defeated India in the ICC World Test Championship final, however, not many fans back home were pleased with the New Zealand star's remarks.

“I wouldn't say it's overall my best”- Devon Conway takes back his comment of the IPL 2023 win being greatest of his career

In a chat with RNZ, Devon Conway said that the Test Championship final was very special for him. In his T20 career, however, it's CSK's victory in the IPL 2023 final sits at the numero uno position for him.

"I think it's the best T20 victory of my career, I wouldn't say it's overall my best. But certainly the best T20 victory or achievement in my career. I think the test championship final, winning that for New Zealand was certainly very, very special,” Conway mentioned.

Devon Conway went on to say that it was wonderful to feel the burden of expectations and finally provide what the team asked of him in order to further express the joy of winning the IPL championship with CSK.

"It was a great experience, I was fortunate enough to get a few games towards the back end of the IPL last year, so I got a taste of what it's like, what the pressure is like, what the team expects of me as a player batting in the top order.

Getting that backing [to open] from the first game throughout this campaign certainly helped me put my best foot forward and create momentum throughout the tournament,” he added.