In a recent revelation, Sameer Rizvi, the hefty purchase by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2024 auction, shared some valuable insights he received from none other than the legendary MS Dhoni. After a quiet start in the league, Rizvi’s impactful performance against Gujarat Titans on March 26 turned heads. Despite being sidelined in the first match against RCB, Rizvi made a spectacular comeback in the recent game.

Rizvi aims to make the most of his time with CSK

During the match, Rizvi showcased his prowess by smashing Rashid Khan for two consecutive sixes in his very first over, eventually scoring 14 runs off just 6 balls. Reflecting on his conversation with Dhoni, Rizvi disclosed that the former CSK skipper emphasized the importance of sticking to his natural game without succumbing to pressure while batting.

Rizvi said,”Dhoni bhai told me just one thing. How you have been playing till now, that’s the game. You just need to play like that. There’s nothing different. The skill is the same and the mindset maybe a little different. So whenever you’re playing, don’t feel the pressure.”

“Just play according to the situation. Then you won’t feel the pressure. Then you won’t be nervous. Obviously, it’s your first game, so you would be nervous. But just play how you have been playing till now.” 

See Also: Why hasn’t Dhoni batted yet in IPL 2024? Hussey explains

Rizvi shares meeting with Dhoni is dream come true for him

He expressed immense happiness at being selected by CSK during the auction. The young player emphasized that his primary goal is to absorb as much knowledge as he can during his time with CSK.

He added, “When I was picked by CSK during the IPL auction I was very happy. It was a dream of mine to meet MS Dhoni. Playing with him was something I hadn’t thought of, but meeting him was a dream. Now that dream has been fulfilled and I’m getting to play alongside him. We have had a lot of net sessions together, and I have a learned lot from him. I have learned from the coaching staff as well. So That’s my aim to learn as much as possible from this team.” 

Looking ahead, CSK gears up to take on Delhi Capitals on March 31 in Vizag, anticipating another thrilling encounter in the IPL 2024 season.

Chennai Super King’s (CSK) newest sensation, Sameer Rizvi, made headlines with a scintillating debut in the IPL, showcasing his raw talent and fearlessness at the crease against Gujarat Titans (GT).

Sameer Rizvi’s Blistering Knock

Rizvi’s entrance onto the IPL stage was nothing short of spectacular. Facing the formidable Rashid Khan, he wasted no time asserting his dominance, dispatching the first ball he faced for a massive six over deep backward square leg. He ran a two on the next delivery before smashing another six on the last ball of the over. Rashid sent down a fuller ball outside the off stump and Rizvi danced down the track and cleared long-off as he raced away to 14 in four balls.

See Also: Wanindu Hasaranga delays joining SRH, here’s why

Hitting first ball in IPL career for a six
Rob Quiney
Kevon Cooper
Andre Russell
Carlos Brathwaite
Aniket Choudhary
Javon Searles
Siddesh Lad
Mahesh Theekshana
Sameer Rizvi*

CSK’s Dominance

Before Rizvi’s explosive cameo, CSK’s innings were propelled by solid performances from openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra, followed by an electrifying 23-ball 51 from Shivam Dube. Rizvi’s contribution further bolstered CSK’s formidable total. Ravindra made the most of the powerplay but missed out on a half-century though, falling to Rashid Khan off the second ball of the last over of the powerplay on 46 off 20. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad then fell on 46 as well, off 36 deliveries. Shivam Dube has since looked as dangerous as ever. Shivam Dube blazed 51 off 23 balls as Chennai Super Kings scored a mammoth 206/6 batting first against Gujarat Titans at the Chepauk Stadium.

Young Prodigy: Sameer Rizvi’s Rising Star

Rizvi’s journey to the IPL was marked by a high-stakes bidding war during the auction, ultimately resulting in CSK securing his services for a whopping INR 8.4 crore. His debut performance justified the franchise’s investment in his exceptional talent.

Despite his brief stint at the crease, Rizvi left an indelible mark with his aggressive approach and fearless stroke play. His ability to capitalize on the opportunity showcased his readiness to perform on the grand stage of the IPL.

With an impressive track record in T20 cricket and a promising IPL debut, Rizvi emerges as a key asset for CSK’s campaign. His explosive batting style and knack for making an impact bode well for the franchise’s aspirations in the tournament.

Since its inception, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a breeding ground for impeccable talent and a platform for youngsters to showcase and display their cricketing prowess. Every season surprises cricket fanatics with emerging Indian players who can join the primary Indian cricket team.

As the recent tournament auctions held in Dubai suggest, it is evident that some new domestic-grown talent is on the field. Here are the four uncapped and emerging Indian players to check out for the IPL 2024 edition. 

Sameer Rizvi- Chennai Super Kings

Sameer Rizvi has much to discuss amongst the cricket fraternity. With the momentum shift in the management’s future planning and the change to a young-blood captain, Rizvi is someone that has in store for the Yellow arsenal.

The Chennai Super Kings spent INR 8.4 crore for the most expensive uncapped player at the auction. He established his name in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League last year, scoring 455 runs in ten games, including two 100s and a fifty.  

Kumar Kushagra- Delhi Capitals

Kumar Kushagra is Delhi Capitals’ latest addition, and he fetched a hefty Rs 7.2 crore at the auction. The youngster from Jharkhand rose to prominence after striking a double century against Nagaland in the Ranji Trophy’s pre-quarterfinals in 2022.

He has scored 1,245 runs in 19 first-class matches. Kushagra has been identified as an alternative for returning skipper Rishabh Pant. However, he has the potential to carve himself his own identity this season, both in the middle and behind the stumps.

Shubham Dubey- Rajasthan Royals

Shubham Dubey, a hard-hitting lower-order batsman, will join the Rajasthan Royals for the 2024 season after the team outbid the Delhi Capitals for him, paying INR 5.8 crore, which is 11.6 times his INR 50 lakh base price.

In 2023, Dubey scored 221 runs for Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His strike rate of 190 was sufficient to entice franchises. Dubey, like Dhruv Jurel in 2023, has the potential to impress everyone with cameo appearances later down the RR order.

Arshin Kulkarni- Lucknow Supergiants

Arshin Kulkarni, the Solapur native, has been a regular on the Maharashtra team since he was under 14. The reliable pacer quickly became a reliable all-rounder with his explosive batting skills, helping Maharashtra win the under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy with a brilliant century against Mumbai in the final last year.

By December 2023, he had secured a seat on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) roster for an introductory price of Rs 20 lakh. And, despite losing out on the under-19 World Cup final earlier this year, he’ll be looking to display a robust performance in his IPL debut.

The IPL 2024 would most likely be the final appearance of renowned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni, especially given his immaculate service in leading the franchise to five IPL victories, the most recent being the 2023 edition. The batting unit of the Chennai Super Kings is in fantastic shape following the IPL 2024 auction.

They have also primarily concentrated on boosting their batting order by increasing the proportion of Kiwi batters in the team. In IPL 2024, Dhoni’s arsenal will have access to his whole bowling lineup, thanks to more extensive and intriguing pace and spin wizards selections, which also comprise all-rounders. Here’s a list of the top four players from the Yellove squad to check out.

MS Dhoni

Unsurprisingly, the fan’s beloved Thala i.e. MS Dhoni will be the major player from the CSK side to check out in the IPL 2024 edition, as this could be the tournament where he could give a full stop to an illustrious cricketing career.

Be it for getting the game to its depth or scalping wickets through lightning-fast hands, the man from Ranchi has made his game and approach doing the talking about him as a sportsperson. As it implies, he is the player to be checked out by all the IPL fans, possibly seeing him hanging the boots from his cricketing journey and giving a proper and memorable sign-off.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad has performed admirably for CSK after joining the franchise in IPL 2020. In 52 matches, Gaikwad has 1797 runs, including one century and 14 fifties. He has also received a score of 99. He averages 39.06 and has a strikeout rate of 135.52. He has also performed admirably for the Indian team in short overs, getting a century against Australia in T20Is lately.

The Maharashtra batsman has extensive leadership experience in domestic cricket. He also led India to the Asian Games gold medal last year, which primarily talks about his potential to become the future leader of the yellow squad.

See Also: Dhoni’s new look before IPL kick-off goes viral on social media

Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra stood out for New Zealand in the recent World Cup 2023 event. Ravindra made full use of his position up the order, scoring three hundred for a total of 565 runs, the greatest by any batter making his World Cup debut. Ravindra was so outstanding that even after Kane Williamson returned, New Zealand remained with him.

Ravindra has 820 runs from 25 ODIs and 146 runs from 19 T20Is. He has also taken 29 wickets in restricted overs for New Zealand. It remains to be seen where Ravindra will fit into the CSK team as a viable opener with Ruturaj Gaikwad, as the recent news of the team’s standout left-hand opener, Devon Conway, has sustained a major thumb injury and is stated unavailable for the next two months.

Sameer Rizvi

Sameer Rizvi, an uncapped player from Meerut known for his tremendous hitting, received a startling bid of Rs 8.40 crore from the Chennai Super Kings. The auction for Rizvi began with a price of Rs 20 lakh. This middle-order batsman is set to make his IPL debut in 2024, making him the most expensive uncapped player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Auction.

Rizvi’s spectacular ascent followed his outstanding performance in the last UP T20 League, scoring 455 runs in only nine innings for the Kanpur Superstars, including two centuries. Indeed, it is unsurprising for several cricket fanatics to see how the promising batting star unveils himself on the bigger stage of IPL 2024.