The next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) is all set to begin on March 22. The five-time champion Chennai Super Kings will defend their title in the coming season. As per the scheduled announcement, CSK will play the tournament’s opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.
CSK will be without Ambati Rayudu who announced his retirement after winning the 2023 season. However, the franchise did an amazing job and bought some good players at the auction. They signed the Kiwi duo of Rachin Ravindra (Rs. 1.8 crore), and Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore), while CSK also got their former star Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore) back.
However, one name that the franchise didn’t want to let go of was the uncapped Sameer Rizvi. CSK went hard after him at the IPL 2024 auction and signed him at a whopping price of INR 8.4 crore. With this, Sameer became one of the most expensive uncapped players.
Many thought that the franchise overpaid for him. But now it looks like CSK has done a great job. Sameer has announced himself in grand fashion ahead of the IPL 2024 with a triple century at the ongoing Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy against Saurashtra for UP.
One Three Four, Here comes the Roar! 🦁 🔥#ColCKNayuduTrophy pic.twitter.com/cwSMSTdLL1
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 25, 2024
The 20-year-old smashed a brilliant 312 off 266 balls, which included 33 boundaries and 12 sixes. Uttar Pradesh declared their innings at 684/6. He started Day 2 at 134 not out and went on to reach a triple ton. Sameer has established himself as a hard-hitting batter.
He was one of the highest-scoring players in the UP T20 league. In 11 T20s, he has scored 295 runs at 49.16 and a strike rate of 134.70 in T20s. His current form will certainly be a big sign for Chennai ahead of the IPL 2024. Though making a place in playing XI looks very difficult, MS Dhoni can certainly try him out in a few matches.
