I am very excited, yet nervous about meeting MS Dhoni: Sameer Rizvi

Uncapped batsman Sameer Rizvi, who was sold to Chennai Super Kings for Rs 8.4 crore, spoke exclusively to JioCinema during the IPL 2024 Player Auction on Tuesday. Excerpts:

On the amount CSK spent on him

I was hoping that I would be selected, but I didn’t expect such a huge bid.

On whether he was nervous when the bid began

Yes, I noticed that 4-5 players before me went unsold, so I was nervous at that time.

On whether he was invited by any franchise for trials

I got calls from all ten teams. But I had moved to the U-23 side by then. That’s when they called me. So, because of matches, I couldn’t go. I could only attend the camps in Punjab, Rajasthan, and RCB.

On the opportunity he’ll get to play under MS Dhoni

That’s a completely different feeling because he has always been my idol. I am very excited, yet nervous about the prospect of meeting him. I have never seen him in front of my eyes.

On the areas he has focussed post his trials for Mumbai Indians two years ago

When I appeared for the MI trials, I struggled with myself. I wouldn’t back myself. So, in the last two years, I have focussed on improving myself and have been giving myself the confidence to back myself and play to my strengths. I don’t want to do anything just to show someone. So, I have regained my confidence.  

On the celebrations at home after his selection

There’s been a crowd at home since morning. Everyone felt that my name would come. So once that happened, all my friends, and people in my society became very emotional. Some began dancing. So that was a different moment. 

On how his journey began

I used to play at home as a 5-6 year old. My maternal uncle who is also my coach began taking me to the academy. He would bowl to me and let me play. So, he only started my cricketing career. Even now he works really hard on me. 

On which position he’d like to bat at

Number 4-5. In U-14 I was an opener. But in the U-16 my coach Tahir Abbas asked me to play in the middle order. That year I scored a lot of runs. He said I played spin bowlers well so I should keep batting in the middle order.