Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan shed light on the rationale behind the franchise’s enthusiastic pursuit of the young, uncapped batter Sameer Rizvi during the IPL 2024 auction. With the need to find a replacement for Ambati Rayudu, CSK faced a challenge due to the absence of experienced options in the auction pool.
The significant move by the MS Dhoni-led CSK to secure the services of the relatively unknown 20-year-old Sameer Rizvi raised eyebrows, especially as CSK traditionally targets experienced players who can make an immediate impact. Despite Rizvi’s limited exposure at the state level with Uttar Pradesh, he emerged as a standout performer in the UP T20 League, showcasing his aggressive batting style and earning a reputation as a prolific six-hitter.
Rizvi’s impressive performance in the UP T20 League included leading in six-hitting statistics for his team, Kanpur Superstars, amassing 455 runs in 9 innings at an exceptional average of over 50 and a strike rate approaching 190, featuring two centuries. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan clarified that Sameer Rizvi was chosen as a replacement for Ambati Rayudu, who retired from all forms of cricket earlier in the year.
While CSK initially sought an experienced replacement for Rayudu, they couldn’t find a suitable candidate in the market. Consequently, they opted for Rizvi, identifying him as a promising young talent who could potentially become a key player for the franchise. Besides his exploits in the UP T20 League, Rizvi has also showcased his skills in U-23 cricket for Uttar Pradesh.
During the launch event of Junior Super Kings in Chennai, Viswanathan mentioned, “Sameer was a targeted player for many of the franchises. We were probably a bit lucky in getting Rizvi. Basically, if you look at it, we were trying to get a replacement for Rayudu. According to us, we didn’t have enough players with that kind of experience to bid for.”
Highlighting the decision to invest in a young talent like Rizvi, Viswanathan emphasized the potential and opportunity for the budding cricketer. Chennai Super Kings fortified their squad in the IPL 2024 auction, securing the services of six players, with Rizvi being the second-highest acquisition at Rs 8.40 crore. Other notable additions include New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, Sharul Thakur, Rachina Ravindra, and Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, as CSK aims for a record-extending sixth IPL title in the upcoming season.
1 thought on “Chennai Match Report 2024 :CSK CEO Provides Insights on Sameer Rizvi’s Acquisition as Ambati Rayudu’s Replacement in IPL 2024 Auction”