Young batsman Sameer Rizvi is enjoying his time with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the maiden season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rizvi, who came into limelight after his impressive performance in the inaugural UPT20, was picked up by CSK for a whopping Rs 840 crore in the IPL 2024 player auction last year. In CSK’s second match of the season against Gujarat Titans, he contributed well by hitting two sixes off Rashid Khan.

Rizvi took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post for former CSK captain MS Dhoni, who gave up the captaincy on the eve of the IPL 2024 opener. Rizvi asserted that playing with Dhoni is a dream come true for him.

“Soak in all the wisdom of the Goat. From watching him work his magic on the TV screen to sharing the dressing room with him, it’s a dream come true!” Rizvi wrote on several pictures.

CSK also shared a video where Dhoni can be seen chatting with Rizvi during the training camp.

This is a super Kudumbam! #WhistlePodu #yellowpic.twitter.com/aNxACH0JHG

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 30, 2024

After the match against GT, Rizvi revealed the advice he got from the team’s poster boy and legendary former captain MS Dhoni.

“When I was sent out, the situation in the 19th over was like this, if there was a ball on my radar, I hit the ball hard. The first ball came right in my zone and I smashed it Six points,” said Rizvi, who shot to fame with his performance in the UPT20 league last year.

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Rizvi said that he was happy to be selected by the Yellow team as it was his lifelong dream to meet Dhoni.

“When the auction happened, CSK picked me up and I was happy because it was a dream to meet MS Dhoni, let alone play with him. It has come true. I have learned a lot from him and the staff. I Trying to learn to bat as well as possible,” the batsman said.

Recalling Dhoni’s advice, Rizvi said the India World Cup-winning captain asked him to play his natural style of play.

“MSD told me to play the way I want, told me the game is the same, the technique is the same but the mentality is different. He asked me not to feel pressure and play according to the situation. He told me in the first game to Take care of your nerves in front of a big crowd,” said Rizvi.

He scored 455 runs in 10 games, averaging over 50 and weighing in at 2 tons. His score is over 188. In 11 T20 games for UP, he scored 295 runs at an average of 49.16 with an SR of over 134 and two fifties.

(With ANI input)

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