Sameer Rizvi can play Ambati Rayudu's role for CSK: Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach, feels new signing Sameer Rizvi could fill the Ambati Rayudu void in the team. His comments came a few days ahead of the commencement of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK, the defending champions, will play the curtain raiser against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22, Thursday, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

CSK acquired Rizvi for a whopping INR 8.4 crore during the IPL 2024 mini-auction in Dubai in December last year. The rookie batter made a sensational impact in the UPT20 league last year, amassing 455 runs in 10 games at an impressive average of over 50, including two tons and a half-century. Given his potential, Hussey stated that the 20-year-old has a lot of natural ability and is confident that CSK can develop him to bring his best on the field.

“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,” said Hussey while speaking at the inauguration of the Pavit Singh Nayar Memorial inter-college T20 tournament at Guru Nanak College in Chennai.

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“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.

The legendary Australian batter further commented that the youngster will occupy a position in the middle-order, while terming him a '"ery talented young prospect". He expressed anticipation in working with the Meerut-born cricketer aiming to assist him in enhancing his overall game.

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“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 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’s much more years left in his career,” he concluded.

CSK IPL 2024 full squad: MS Dhoni (c), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avanish Rao Aravelly