During their high-stakes Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 encounter against Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 20 at the Wankhede Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) players were seen wearing black armbands, prompting curiosity and concern among viewers.
CSK players wear black armbands during clash against Mumbai Indians
The franchise has not issued an official statement regarding the gesture, but several media reports suggest the black armbands were worn to mourn the unfortunate demise of teammate Devon Conway’s father. The New Zealand batter was notably absent from the playing XI, further hinting at personal reasons behind his unavailability. While it remains unclear whether Conway has flown back home, the gesture from his teammates reflected solidarity and support during a deeply personal loss. The emotional undertone, however, could not lift CSK’s spirits on the field as they slumped to a heavy nine-wicket defeat at the hands of arch-rivals MI at the Wankhede Stadium.
TOI understands that #CSK players were wearing black armbands in their match against #MumbaiIndians at the Wankehde Stadium on Sunday night to mourn the demise of their Kiwi opener Devon Conway’s father #MIvsCSK #IPL2025
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) April 20, 2025
Chennai Super Kings slump to another loss in IPL 2025
Conway has had a limited yet impactful presence for CSK in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. In the three games he has featured in so far, Conway made combined runs of 94 with his 69 off 49 balls against Punjab Kings (PBKS) standing out, though he had to retire out during that innings. Despite his promising starts, CSK failed to capitalize, losing that match by 18 runs.
His absence in the game against MI on Sunday was conspicuous, especially given the Super Kings’ current form. Conway, who was instrumental in CSK’s successful 2023 campaign, is remembered for his strong opening partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad. That season, he amassed 672 runs at an average of 51.69, including a vital 47 in the nail-biting final against Gujarat Titans (GT). His composure at the top of the order is something CSK dearly missed in their latest outing.
CSK’s loss to Mumbai has further compounded their woes in IPL 2025, with the team now languishing at the bottom of the points table. With just four points and a worrying Net Run Rate (NRR) of -1.392, the five-time champions are in urgent need of a turnaround. Their next opportunity comes after a four-day break when they host Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk.
