Dhoni impressed with Rasheed’s potential

Lucknow: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni heaped praise on debutant Shaik Rasheed after CSK’s crucial victory over Lucknow Super Giants here on Monday.

Dhoni, while acknowledging the importance of the win, focused on the potential of the young batsman.

“Roles and responsibilities – that’s what we talk about. If you get off to a good start, and you’re someone who can play through the innings, then why not. I think he batted really well today,” Dhoni said in the post-match press conference.

Dhoni highlighted Rasheed’s consistent performance in the nets and his ability against both pace and spin. “He has been with us for quite a few years (Shaik Rasheed). This year he has been batting really well in the nets against both pacers and spinners. It’s just the start. He has the capability to dominate with authentic shots,” he added.

The CSK captain also expressed surprise at receiving the Player of the Match award, suggesting that young spinner Noor Ahmad was equally deserving.

“Even today I was like – ‘why are they giving me the award? Noor bowled really well,” Dhoni said.

Shaik Rasheed, a 20-year-old right-handed top-order batsman from Andhra Pradesh, made his IPL debut in the match. He was a part of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2022. Rasheed has a strong domestic record, with over 1200 First-Class runs and centuries in both First-Class and T20 cricket.

CSK acquired Rasheed for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction. His performance in his debut match has provided a boost to CSK’s top-order batting, which has struggled in earlier games.

Dhoni’s confidence in Rasheed suggests that the young batsman could play a key role in CSK’s campaign as the tournament progresses.