IPL 2025: Not MS Dhoni or Suresh Raina! Sameer Rizvi picks his favorite batter

Talented young batter Sameer Rizvi has picked his favorite batter whom he idolizes the most. Surprisingly, Rizvi did not pick MS Dhoni or Suresh Raina as his favorite batter and instead chose Rohit Sharma.

Known for his comparisons with Suresh Raina for his aggressive batting style, Rizvi was expected to take Raina's name. But the youngster is impressed with Rohit's aggressive batting style.

The youngster plays for Chennai Super Kings and has also credited MS Dhoni for his growth. Rizvi can hit big shots in the middle overs just like MS Dhoni. But the youngster still believes that Rohit Sharma is his favorite batter.

Also read: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni's silence over his participation leaves CSK in a state of turmoil

Sameer Rizvi picks Rohit Sharma as his favorite player

During a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube channel, Sameer Rizvi picked Rohit Sharma as his favorite batter due to his aggressive batting style. Rizvi himself is known to be an attacking batter which makes Rohit an obvious option for him.

"I want to perform well and play for India. I have an attacking game. Rohit (Sharma) bhaiya plays aggressively. I have the same intent like him. So, I like his batting (on being asked which batsman he idolizes the most)," Rizvi said ib the podcast.

The youngster from Uttar Pradesh was further asked about the qualities of Rohit Sharma which is likes the most. He credited his attacking intent and his strike rate which is always high.

Sameer Rizvi cited the example of the ODI World Cup, where Rohit played the role of an aggressor perfectly at the top and helped India get rollicking starts.

"His intent is very good. His strike rate is always good, like we saw in the World Cup. He batted at a very good strike rate and a good intent. So, I like this quality about him," he added.

Sameer Rizvi Said - Mujhe Rohit bhaiya ki Batting bahoot pasand hai, unka intent Kafi Accha hai. #RohitSharma #TeamIndia

pic.twitter.com/L4QlfbRByY

— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) October 15, 2024

Rohit Sharma in World Cup 2023

Rohit Sharma's batting reached a new dimension in the ODI World Cup 2023 where he was head and shoulders above the rest. The India captain smashed 597 runs in the tournament at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.94.

Rohit's quick starts at the top helped India's other batters like Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to take their time and play long innings. The Indian skipper finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, just behind Virat Kohli.

But Rohit could not take India past the finish line as they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final to Australia. But Rohit continued his batting style in the T20 World Cup 2024 and this time, it paid off. He finished as the second-highest run-getter of the tournament and helped India lift the title.

Sameer Rizvi in IPL 2024

Meanwhile, Sameer Rizvi plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. The youngster was signed for INR 8.4 crore in his first IPL season in 2024. However, he had disappointing returns where he scored just 51 runs in 8 matches at an average of 12.75 and a strike rate of 118.60.

It is unlikely that Chennai Super Kings would retain him before the upcoming mega auction but he can be retained through the Right to Match (RTM) card.