Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] During the moment when Shivam Dube was showcasing his prowess against both spin and pace against Gujarat Titans at home, the Chepauk crowd erupted into cheers. Dube had garnered significant support from the CSK fans, but this particular uproar wasn’t for him. The excitement surged as the giant screen displayed MS Dhoni, geared up and ready to bat in the final few deliveries.
Dube’s dismissal on the second ball of the 19th over heightened the anticipation, only for Sameer Rizvi to stride out to bat at number four. The decision was strategic, considering a spinner was bowling at the death.
“When Rashid came on to bowl in the 19th over, the coach [Stephen Fleming] instructed me that if a wicket fell, I would go out to bat,” Rizvi revealed on Friday. “That set my mind that it was the 19th over, a spinner was bowling, and whoever walked in was expected to hit boundaries. So, I was clear in my head that I had to go out and hit big.”
This clarity reflected in the 20-year-old’s batting as he confidently slog-swept Rashid for a six on his first ball in the tournament. In the same over, Rizvi charged down the wicket and dispatched another six over long-off. CSK had shown considerable interest in Rizvi during bidding, recognizing his potential against spin, and he delivered in his debut opportunity.
“If you observe my previous matches, I have always performed well against spinners,” Rizvi stated. “Even in the nets, I have been successful against spin. In my childhood, my uncle [Tanqib Akhtar] trained me to bat against spin, using tennis balls within a 30-yard circle. He would declare it a six if the ball crossed the circle. So, we practiced diligently over the years.”
CSK’s batting coach Michael Hussey praised Rizvi’s natural ability to hit the ball cleanly, particularly against spinners. “He can strike the ball a long way and with precision,” Hussey remarked.
Fielding in the season opener against RCB helped Rizvi acclimatize to the crowd at Chepauk, alleviating any potential nerves. “Before stepping onto the ground, I received my debut cap at the team meeting, learning I would be playing the first match,” Rizvi shared. “I felt nervous initially while fielding, but in the second match, I was more composed and felt less pressure.”
CSK secured Rizvi’s services for a hefty sum of INR 8.40 crore, but they have emphasized to him that the price tag doesn’t dictate expectations as they guide him through his IPL journey.
“There’s no pressure. Price doesn’t determine a player’s worth; it’s about performance and composure,” Rizvi affirmed. “MS bhaiya (brother) advised me to focus on performance, as the price tag varies for everyone. The crucial thing is how you perform and handle pressure.”
Being picked by CSK was a dream come true for Rizvi, especially to play alongside Mahi bhaiya (Dhoni). “I didn’t anticipate being picked by CSK or any franchise for this amount, but I appreciate their faith in me,” he expressed. “The team’s supportive environment is incredible; everyone backs each other, and it’s amazing.”