Sameer Rizvi was bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 8.4 Cr in the IPL 2024 auction which raised a lot of eyebrows. Rizvi, who hails from UP, had good numbers in the UPT20, where he notched 455 runs in nine innings, which led to CSK bidding for him.
He made his IPL debut for CSK against RCB in the 2024 edition opener, but he didn’t get to bat. However, in the second match for CSK against Gujarat Titans, Rizvi got to showcase his hitting prowess.
He hit Rashid Khan for a six on the first ball he faced in IPL and then hit him for another six after a couple of balls in the same over. Rizvi made 14 runs in 6 balls before getting out but gave a glimpse of what he can do in his short innings.
Speaking to IPL's website, Rizvi revealed the chat he had with Dhoni and what the former CSK skipper told him to do in terms of his game.
"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 may be 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," said Rizvi.
Sameer further added that meeting MS Dhoni was his dream and he was over the moon after being picked by CSK in the IPL 2024 auction. The youngster said that his aim is to learn as much as possible from his time with CSK.
"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," said Rizvi.
CSK will now face Delhi Capitals in their next match on March 31 in Vizag.
(IPL/India Today inputs)
