Who is Shaik Rasheed? All you need to know about CSK's new opener in IPL 2025

Shaik Rasheed makes strong debut for CSK

Visitors Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are currently clashing with hosts Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a high-voltage IPL 2025 encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

After regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the IPL due to an elbow fracture, CSK were left pondering over whom to replace the terrific opener with. Alongside that, they also handed MS Dhoni the leadership mantle once again. Although the franchise recently brought teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre into the squad, they didn’t hesitate to give another young blood, Shaik Rasheed, a chance.

Now the question that has been crossing every fan's mind is — who is this new rising player?

Well, the 20-year-old batter hails from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The youngster finally made his debut for the Yellow Brigade and made his mark with a quickfire knock in his first game, justifying all the hype around him.

Rasheed showed a calm demeanour while batting and played a vital 27-run knock off just 19 balls. During his stay at the crease, his impressive stroke-making saw the ball sail across the boundary four times. Given CSK’s powerplay struggles this season, this knock from the Andhra lad has certainly given the team and fans a new ray of hope.

From U-19 stardom to IPL spotlight

Speaking of Shaik Rasheed’s credentials, he has been a consistent performer for Andhra in domestic cricket. He gained attention after his heroics in the U-19 World Cup in 2022. While representing India at the global stage, he scored 201 runs in four matches and finished as the third-highest run-getter in the tournament.

As far as domestic cricket is concerned, Rasheed has scored 1,204 runs in 19 First-Class games at an average of 46.04. In the shortest format, Rasheed now has 390 runs in 18 T20 matches at an average of 30.00, with a healthy strike rate of 129.50.

The Guntur boy is known more for his timing and placement rather than power-hitting.

“My game is to play along the ground. That’s my strong zone. I don’t hit the ball in the air,” he said in an interview with Sportstar.

For those unaware, Rasheed has been a part of the CSK setup since 2023. He was bought by the franchise for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auctions.

With his impressive debut knock, Rasheed now seems like a promising backup opener for CSK. The franchise will now hope that Gaikwad’s injury may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as they look to claw their way back into IPL 2025 and keep their playoffs hopes alive.

Quick facts about Shaik Rasheed

• Date of Birth: September 24, 2004

• Birthplace: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

• Part of India’s U-19 team that won the 2022 U-19 World Cup

• Scored 50 off 84 balls against England in the U-19 World Cup final

• Totalled 201 runs from 4 innings in the 2022 U-19 World Cup (Avg: 50.25, 2 fifties)

• Scored 334 runs in 8 One-Day matches for India U-19 (Avg: 55.66, 3 fifties)

• Was the leading run-scorer for Rayalaseema Kings in APL 2022 (159 runs in 5 innings)

• Made his T20 debut for Andhra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022, scoring 37 against Nagaland.