Chennai Super Kings batter Sameer Rizvi made his arrival in Indian Premier League (IPL) with two smashing sixes during the IPL 2024 match against Gujarat Titans at M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, March 26.
Rizvi walked out to bat for the first time in his IPL career when CSK were at 184/4 after Shivam Dube's dismissal. He immediately made an impact by smashing a six off GT spinner Rashid Khan during the penultimate over of the innings. Then, Sameer Rizvi hit another six in the same over. His aggressive innings were short-lived as he was dismissed for 14 off 6 balls by Mohit Sharma. However, Rizvi's two sixes played a crucial role in helping CSK past 200-run mark.
Chennai Super Kings were delighted to witness the arrival of new talent in the team, but Sameer Rizvi's family was equally estactic to witness him playing in IPL. In a viral video, the Meerut-born cricketer's family erupted in joy after hitting two sixes. One of his family members can be heard saying, 'Pehli ball pe chakka keh ke gaya tha' (He said he will hit a six on the first ball).
Chennai Super Kings acquired the services of Sameer Rizvi for a whopping INR 8.4 crore, making him the most expensive uncapped Indian player at the IPL 2024 Auction. The 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh batter triggered a massive bidding war from Royal Challengers Bangalore, Lucknow Super Giants, CSK, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans.
Chennai-based IPL team had to fend off interest from GT to sign up Sameer Rizvi to strengthen the bench for IPL 2024.
Sameer Rizvi reveals MS Dhoni's advice to him ahead of his IPL debut
CSK new recruit Sameer Rizvi revealed the word of advice by former captain MS Dhoni ahead of his maiden IPL match against Gujarat Titans. He stated that Dhoni encouraged him to play his game and not to feel the pressure.
"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." Rizvi said on a video shared by IPL.
Before IPL debut, Sameer Rizvi played only domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh. In T20, he scored 309 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 44.14 and a strike rate of 137.33 in 13 matches.
