CSK vs GT: Who is Sameer Rizvi? UP youngster rips apart Rashid ...

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) debutant Sameer Rizvi made a memorable debut to his Indian Premier League (IPL) career with a cracking cameo of 14 runs in six deliveries against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Rizvi hit a couple of sixes against Rashid Khan in the 19th over of the innings, inducing interest about the batter, who was acquired for ₹8.4 crore in the auction prior to the season.

Who is Sameer Rizvi?

CSK, Gujarat Titans (GT), and Delhi Capitals (DC) were engaged in an intense tussle to secure the services of the young power hitter in the aforementioned auction that was held in Dubai in December.

Rizvi had delivered power-packed performance for the Kanpur Superstars in the UP T20 League recently. His performances for UP has earned his comparisons with former India star and ex-CSK vice-captain Suresh Raina, who hails from the same state.

The batter smashed 455 runs on the back of two centuries in nine games, thus shooting into the limelight owing to his fantastic performances in the middle order. CSK were anyways in the lookout for a replacement for Ambati Rayudu in the batting order, and Rizvi seems to be a long-term investment from their end for the same.

He averages 49.2 at a strike rate of 134.7 with 295 runs to his name in 11 domestic T20 games. In List A cricket, Rizvi has hit 174 runs at an average of 29. Teams going great guns to get him in the auction speaks volumes of how strengthened the IPL scouting network has become over the years. The inception of local T20 leagues has broadened the playing ground, enhancing opportunities for youngsters from every nook and corner of the country to make a mark and get under the radar of their favourite IPL teams.