'He Can Definitely Play That Role': CSK Batting Coach Picks His Choice to Fill Ambati Rayudu Void

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to begin the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a high-voltage clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener on Friday in Chennai. MS Dhoni & Co have begun training in their den and are leaving no stone unturned to defend their title and script history. With the commencement of the season, the focus will be largely on the new faces and one of them Uttar Pradesh’s Sameer Rizvi who bagged a hefty deal, worth Rs 8.4 crore in the mini-auction.

Rizvi came into focus with his heroics in the inaugural edition of the UPT20 last year, in which he smashed 455 runs in 10 matches at an average of 50. The Meerut batter also struck two tons and a fifty. The 20-year-old has been the talk of the town since his signing and ahead of the season, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey has stated that Rizvi could take Ambati Rayudu’s place in the line-up.

Rayudu drew curtains on his career last year after CSK won the title for the record-equaling fifth time after defeating Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

“Most definitely. I think he can definitely play that role. I mean Ambati Rayudu is someone that has so much experience and he’s played for so long. So, he’s a seasoned campaigner, whereas Rizvi is just starting out in his IPL career,” Hussey said while speaking at an event in Chennai.

Follow all the action from IPL 2024, including the IPL 2024 Schedule and IPL 2024 Points Table. Also, check Players vying for IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap 

“So, we can’t expect Rizvi to be doing exactly what Rayudu has been doing for so many years. But, of course, we can start developing him and he’s got a lot of natural ability. So, it’s exciting. It’s exciting to see how far he can go,” he added.

‘He’ll bat somewhere in the middle-order’

The CSK batting hinted at a possible IPL debut for Rizvi pretty early in the season, stating that the right-hand batter is likely to bat in the middle-order.

“I think he’ll bat somewhere in the middle-order. He’s obviously a natural striker of the ball. I only saw him for the first time yesterday. He looks like a very talented young prospect. So, I’m looking forward to working with him personally and just helping him improve his game, obviously for this tournament, but also for the years moving forward. We want him to do well in this IPL, but there are many more years left in his career,” said Hussey.