Chennai Super Kings‘ debutant Sameer Rizvi left an indelible mark on his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut against Gujarat Titans, garnering attention for his explosive batting prowess. Ahead of his much anticipated debut, Rizvi shared insights into the invaluable advice imparted by CSK’s iconic former captain, MS Dhoni. The fortress-like Chepauk Stadium bore witness to CSK’s commanding 63-run triumph over Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Rizvi, who was acquired by CSK for a hefty sum of Rs 8.4 crores in the previous IPL auction, made a resounding entry into the league. Facing the world-renowned T20 bowler Rashid Khan, Rizvi wasted no time in dispatching the ball over the boundary ropes with a colossal six on his very first delivery. He continued his onslaught by launching Rashid for another six before departing after a brief yet impactful cameo of 14 runs from six balls.
Despite the modest run tally, Rizvi’s aggressive strokeplay and fearless approach against a top-tier bowler garnered widespread acclaim. His composed demeanor while launching Rashid for consecutive sixes was particularly lauded. In a video shared by the IPL’s official platform, Rizvi expressed his determination to capitalize on any delivery within his hitting zone, stating, “The way the situation was…I was going to hit it big if a delivery was on my radar.”
Watch The Video Here :
𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗣𝗟 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝘁. 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘇𝘃𝗶
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 27, 2024
He announced his arrival to #TATAIPL in some style 😎
The @ChennaiIPL batter shares the feeling of making his debut and dream of playing with @msdhoni 💛 – By @RajalArora
WATCH 🎥🔽
Rizvi’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with in the IPL follows his stellar performances in the UPT20 League, where he amassed 455 runs at an average exceeding 50, including two centuries and a half-century, at a staggering strike rate of over 188. Reflecting on his journey to CSK, Rizvi conveyed his elation at being part of the Yellow franchise, fulfilling a lifelong aspiration of meeting and playing alongside MS Dhoni.
Recounting Dhoni’s sagely counsel, Rizvi revealed, “MSD has told me to play the way I do… He has asked me not to feel pressure and to play as per the situation.” Dhoni’s emphasis on maintaining composure and playing with a free mind resonated deeply with Rizvi as he geared up for his maiden IPL appearance amidst a fervent crowd. Despite his eagerness to don the number seven jersey, a homage to Dhoni, Rizvi graciously settled for the number one jersey.
Embracing the camaraderie within the team, Rizvi commended the unwavering support from his teammates and their willingness to share insights on batting mindset and approach. On the field, CSK displayed their batting prowess, with Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Dube delivering scintillating performances to propel the team to a formidable total of 206/6 in 20 overs.
In response, Gujarat Titans faltered in their chase, succumbing to CSK’s relentless bowling attack, led by Tushar Deshpande, Deepak Chahar, and Mustafizur Rahman. Ultimately, Dube’s stellar all-round display earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade, encapsulating CSK’s dominant victory over Gujarat Titans in Rizvi’s memorable IPL debut.
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