Following an impressive debut as a finisher, Sameer Rizvi aims to sustain his role in CSK’s evolving season. As the team changes, Rizvi’s performance offers promise and stability in the crucial finisher position. With a strong start, he seeks to maintain momentum and contribute significantly to CSK’s success. As the season progresses, Rizvi’s consistency and adaptability will be vital factors in shaping the team’s performance and achieving their goals.
Sameer Rizvi’s Excellent Batting in IPL 2014:
Following Rashid Khan’s dismissal of Shivam Dube for a brisk 51 off 23 balls, leaving just ten deliveries in Chennai Super Kings’ innings, the 33,400-strong crowd at Chepauk eagerly anticipated MS Dhoni’s entrance for the season’s first bat. Cameras repeatedly scanned for the iconic finisher, but to everyone’s surprise, CSK introduced their new closer, Sameer Rizvi, to face Rashid. This unexpected move showcased CSK’s strategic shift and Rizvi’s potential impact in the finisher role.
In his IPL debut, the 20-year-old aggressively slog-swept his first delivery, launching it for a six over square leg, off the formidable Ravindra Jadeja. This bold move earned him accolades from fellow CSK players like Dwayne Bravo and the coaching staff in the dugout. Undeterred, he charged at a 96kph delivery from Rashid three balls later, clearing long-off with sheer power despite the mis-hit.
Chepauk stadium embraced the emergence of this new finisher. Although caught at the long-on boundary while attempting another big hit off Mohit Sharma in the final over, Rizvi’s debut showcased his potential, amassing 14 runs off six balls with a staggering strike rate of 233.33.
After his innings, Rizvi said, “When Rashid came to bowl in the 19th over, the coach [Stephen Fleming] told me if a wicket falls, you will go out to bat. After that, it was set in my mind that it was the 19th over and it was a spinner bowling and if they are sending me at this point of the match, anyone who walks in will be expected to smash boundaries. So, in my head, only one thing was going on – I have to go out and hit it big – I was clear about that.”
Rizvi of his Ultimate Big Day:
In his IPL debut during the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai last week, Rizvi didn’t have a chance to bat. However, he confessed to feeling nervous while fielding in front of the packed Chepauk crowd. Despite this, when confronted with Rashid, Rizvi displayed remarkable composure and fearlessness. This contrast between his nerves in the field and his confidence at the crease showcased Rizvi’s ability to rise to the occasion under pressure.
He remembered, “Before I stepped onto the ground at the team meeting, I received my debut cap. And that’s when I found out I was playing the first match. I was a little nervous when I was fielding but I never got to bat. But, in the second match, I mellowed down a bit and was not feeling nervous; there was no such pressure. I think I got used to the crowd after the match, so that’s why I was not feeling much pressure.”
Rizvi’s Path to IPL Success and Mindset:
Rizvi’s auction buzz began in December 2023 when CSK invested INR 8.4 crore. His prowess came to light after smashing the most sixes for Kanpur Superstars in the local UP T20 league. He further impressed during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, dominating Tamil Nadu’s spinners on a sluggish Dehradun pitch with an unbeaten 75 off 46 balls. Rizvi’s display of power-hitting at CSK’s pre-season camp in Chennai solidified his value to the team.
He said, “If you look at my previous matches, I have always been playing well against spinners. Even at the nets, I have been playing well against spin. When I was a kid, my uncle [Tanqib Akhtar] was the one who made me practice batting against spin, he would bowl with tennis balls in a 30-yard circle. He would say if it went out of that 30-yard circle it would be a six. So, slowly we kept practicing over the years.”
Did the hefty IPL price tag invite pressure? “There’s no pressure. Price is never a pressure for a player, it’s just how I perform and score,” Rizvi said. “MS bhaiya (brother) has told me to focus on performance as the price tag is different for everyone. The main thing is how you perform and how you deal with pressure.”
Rizvi on CSK and MS Dhoni:
Rizvi expressed surprise at the substantial bids from franchises, confessing it exceeded his expectations. Currently, he delights in batting alongside Dhoni during practice sessions.
He expressed, “ “It was a very nice feeling to be picked by CSK. It was my dream to meet and play with Mahi bhaiya. And, that dream was fulfilled. Apart from that, I really did not expect to get picked by CSK or any other franchise for this amount. But I think they [CSK] showed faith in me, so I really liked that. One thing that I like most about this team is everyone backs one another, all of them are very helpful; it is amazing.”
On meeting with Dhoni, he said, “I met Dhoni bhaiya for the first time on March 16, when I joined the team. It was just a casual ‘hi, hello!’ and then we met on the ground. On the ground, he taught me a few tips on how to handle pressure, and how to play in front of the crowd. He told me to play my natural game.”
In his second IPL appearance, Rizvi notably batted ahead of both Dhoni and Jadeja, making a significant statement. This season has witnessed a notable shift at CSK, marked by smooth transitions and adjustments.
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