Home
The joint-most successful franchise in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) caught the attention of cricket fans around the world when they forked out a hefty sum of Rs 8.40 crore for unknown commodity Sameer Rizvi during the auction on December 19. Ahead of the auction, there was a significant buzz surrounding Rizvi as several people had touted him as the right-handed version of former India cricketer Suresh Raina.
As it turned out, the hype around Rizvi enabled the 20-year-old hot prospect to fetch a monumental amount of money in the auction. As soon as CSK acquired the services of Rizvi, the social media went into overdrive and a video showcasing the right-handed batter's power-hitting skills went viral instantly.
Watch the video here:
"This is an unreal feeling for me. I cannot describe this in words, it is too difficult for me. I'm out of words at this moment, taking time to let it sink in. Looking forward to play for CSK," Rizvi told Indiatoday.in.
Talking about Rizvi, the Uttar Pradesh batter scored the fastest century in the inaugural season of the UP T20 League. During the tournament, the right-handed batter made a big name for himself as he smashed 38 sixes and 35 fours. Overall, he scored 455 runs in just nine innings at a stellar strike rate of 188.80.
In the men's U23 State A competition, Rizvi scored 454 runs in just six innings with the help of 37 sixes and 29 fours.
Ahead of the auction, Raina shed some light on Rizvi and what the 20-year-old could bring to the table for any franchise.
"Sameer Rizvi has a different intent in his batting. He would get a lot of confidence if he gets to play for an UP team. He is a Badoni-type player but plays with a straighter bat," Raina said on Jio Cinema.
During a recent IPL mock auction featured on Jio Cinema, former Indian cricketer Abhinav Mukund disclosed an intriguing comparison made by an IPL scout. The scout described rising cricket star Rizvi as a right-handed version of the famed Raina.
"One of the IPL scouts actually told me that he was the right handed Suresh Raina. The areas that he hits against spin are similar and many teams might go after him," Mukund said.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IPL 2024 Auction: CSK open coffers for Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra; here's how Chennai's team looks like after bidding war
IPL 2024 Auction: SRH catch big fish Pat Cummins after Travis Head in bank-breaking deal, here's how their squad looks like
