'I admire his intent and enjoy watching him bat' - Sameer Rizvi on idolising skipper Rohit Sharma

Uttar Pradesh's emerging batter Sameer Rizvi recently expressed his admiration for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and considers him as his idol. The 20-year-old made headlines when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquired him for a whopping INR 8.40 crore in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

Rizvi's talent was recognized by CSK, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, leading to his high-value acquisition. Although Rizvi's debut IPL season saw limited opportunities, with 51 runs across five innings in eight matches. 

In a recent appearance on YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra's show "Unplugged," Rizvi opened up about his admiration for Sharma. He drew a comparison between his aggressive batting style and that of the Indian captain. He also pointed out Sharma's ability to maintain a high strike rate while scoring big, referencing the veteran's performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“My style of play is quite attacking, similar to how Rohit Bhaiya approaches the game. I admire his intent and enjoy watching him bat. He has a great strike rate; for instance, he scored 60 runs off 40 balls in the ODI World Cup, showcasing his aggressive play and intent. That’s something I really appreciate about him as a player,” Rizvi said.

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Rohit Sharma was second-highest run-scorer of T20 World Cup 2024

Under Sharma's leadership, India clinched their second T20I World Cup title, defeating South Africa in a brilliant final. Sharma's contribution was impressive, finishing as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer with 257 runs in eight innings at a remarkable strike rate of 156.70.

Rizvi's recent performances have also been impressive. In the UP T20 League 2024, he led the Kanpur Superstars to the final and emerged as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer, scoring 468 runs in 13 matches at an average of 42.55, including three half-centuries. Looking ahead to the 2025 IPL season, there's speculation about the Meerut-born's future with CSK.