Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein partnership emerging for CSK in 2026 IPL

Noor Ahmad's improved bowling and partnership with Akeal Hosein helped Chennai Super Kings win two consecutive matches for the first time since April 2024.

Noor Ahmad's breakthrough performance Noor Ahmad stood out as one of the few positives for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, finishing second on the Purple Cap list with 24 wickets, just one behind Prasidh Krishna. His season started slowly, but he turned things around dramatically against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk, claiming three wickets for 21 runs and forming the long-awaited spin duo with Akeal Hosein that CSK had been waiting to see. CSK secured a 32-run victory, marking their first back-to-back wins since April 2024. Sridharan Sriram, CSK's assistant bowling coach, attributed the improvement to the wicket conditions and Noor's adjustments in bowling length and spin. ## Coach praises Noor's technical progress Sriram explained that the Chepauk pitch offered more grip, allowing Noor to execute his leg-break more effectively with added side spin and a slower airtime. He noted that Noor had been working on these aspects, with even MS Dhoni discussing bowling variations during training sessions. The coach highlighted that consistent bowling at the right length, even on flat wickets, requires aggression and high revolutions to force mistakes from batters. Noor played all five of CSK's matches early in the season but struggled initially, conceding 24, 38, and 49 runs without taking a wicket in the first three games, all losses for CSK. His first breakthrough came against Delhi Capitals, though he remained costly with a 12.00 economy rate before his standout performance against KKR. ## Akeal Hosein's impact on CSK's spin attack Akeal Hosein, the other part of CSK's spin partnership, has featured in just two matches so far, but his presence has been impactful as CSK won both games. Known as a powerplay specialist across T20 leagues with a career economy rate of 7.17 after 275 matches, Hosein is making a strong impression in his second IPL season after a single appearance for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023. His ability to swing the ball late in its flight and maintain consistent movement makes him a challenging bowler for batters. Sriram praised Hosein's intelligence, noting his thorough preparation, analysis of opposition batters, and strategic field placements to maximize his strengths. ## Spin duo's synergy key to CSK's success Sriram emphasized the excellent camaraderie and understanding between Noor and Hosein, calling their partnership highly complementary. He shared an example from the match against KKR where Hosein advised Noor on bowling an in-between length, which proved unplayable as the ball held its line and stayed low. Noor's initial over was either too short or full, but after adjusting to the middle length, he became difficult to score against. Sriram credited Hosein for his active role in guiding Noor, mentioning a strategic timeout discussion where Hosein explained the ideal length to exploit the pitch conditions. Their ability to communicate and exchange tactical insights has become a significant advantage for CSK. ## Hosein's unique bowling style Sriram described Hosein as a 'slow left-arm orthodox' bowler, though his effectiveness comes more from his swing and late movement than pure orthodox spin. He highlighted Hosein's strong arm-ball that swings late in its trajectory, making it hard for batters to anticipate. Hosein's release point and consistent swing, often more exaggerated than typical swing bowling, add to his difficulty. His meticulous approach includes analyzing opposition batters to determine optimal field placements and adjusting bowling speeds based on matchups, showcasing his deep understanding of the game.