Sameer Rizvi Exclusive Interview: Dhoni’s advice, IPL journey & future goals

Sameer Rizvi Exclusive Interview - Excerpts:

People call you right-handed Suresh Raina. What would you like to comment on it?

It’s always a great feeling when someone compares me with him. He is the legend of the game.

How has your experience been so far with the Delhi Capitals' setup?

It was a great experience to be with the Capitals. A lot to learn from Kevin Pietersen and Hemang Badani, sir. We finished well in the end as well.

Who has been your biggest mentor in the dressing room, and what were the learnings?

I’ve learned a lot from Mahi bhai. He has always supported me off the field, especially on the mental side. From him, we can learn how to stay calm and composed in pressure situations.

Which bowler in the IPL has been the toughest for you to face?

Matheesha Pathirana. He was with CSK. It’s a bit tough to pick him as he bowls with a side angle.

Where do you see yourself in the next 3 to 5 years?

I want to represent India and fulfill my childhood dream. Hope I perform well in the upcoming domestic and IPL seasons to get a chance in the Indian team.

How good is it to finish the season with a match-winning knock against the Punjab Kings?

It was my first-ever IPL fifty, and it came in a match-winning way, winning the game for my team. It was a great feeling for me.

Your pinned post on Instagram is with MS Dhoni. What’s the best advice you’ve received from the legend?

He always tells us to stay calm in high-pressure situations and take deep breaths for 5–6 seconds, which will help us relax and think in a better way.

How does it feel to smash a first-ball six in your IPL career, with MS Dhoni celebrating in the dressing room?

I told a lot of people that whenever I go out to bat in the IPL, I would charge from the very first ball and hit a six. I didn’t see the bowler at that time, but my mindset was to hit six on the first ball.

Your favourite cricketer and why?

In my childhood, I used to watch Sachin sir’s batting a lot and copy his batting. As I got older, I copied Mahi bhaiya, especially for his mindset of handling pressure situations.

Did you get a chance to meet Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma? Have you received any advice from them?

My batting is a bit attacking. I would like to take a piece of advice from Rohit bhaiya and for fitness, from Virat bhaiya.

Rapid-Fire – This or That / Fun Round

Favourite stadium to bat in?

Arun Jaitley Stadium

AB de Villiers or MS Dhoni – whose batting inspires you more for the finisher’s role?

Mahi bhaiya

Fast bowlers or spinners – who do you enjoy hitting more?

Spinners

Dream batting partner (past or present)?

KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs

If not a cricketer, what would you be?

I didn’t think of it at all

Funniest teammate in Delhi Capitals?

Axar [Patel] bhaiya

One bowler you’d love to hit for six on the very first ball.

Mitchell Starc

Your favourite batting position?

No.4

Your dream top 5 batters in T20 cricket

Mahi bhaiya, Tristan Stubbs, Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head

Blind ranking - 6 Finishers

• Michael Bevan - 6
• AB de Villiers - 3
• Jos Buttler - 5
• Kieron Pollard - 2
• MS Dhoni - 1
• Michael Hussey - 4