My best knock in IPL, says Rizvi

If we are playing on a big platform like the IPL, we can't think of anything tough. Because on one hand, we have to keep a winning mindset that we can score any chaseable score in the IPL, said Rizvi, who plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket

HYDERABAD: Sameer Rizvi, who scored a brilliant unbeaten, 25-ball 58 to help Delhi Capitals record a stunning win against Punjab Kings in the IPL league match in Jaipur on Saturday night, said it was his best knock in the IPL.

“The situation was such that I had to go and score the runs because the required rate was high. So my plan was to take 3-4 balls in the beginning and then see how the wicket is behaving and which bowler I can choose. So that was my plan,” Rizvi said.

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“Yes, this was my best knock in the IPL. When I went for batting, Karun Bhayya (Karun Nair) charged me up a little. He hit four boundaries in one over. So, I got a little less pressure from there and felt that I can take some time and the wicket was very good,” the 21-year-old, hard hitting batter said.

“If we are playing on a big platform like the IPL, we can’t think of anything tough. Because on one hand, we have to keep a winning mindset that we can score any chaseable score in the IPL. Like last year, 260 was chased in the IPL,” said Rizvi, who plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket.

“So we can’t think that we can’t chase. We have to take a positive thought when we are chasing,” he said. “Winning and losing is not in our hands. Playing well is in our hands,” he added.

“Shot selection is very important at that time. So it was the same for me. What ball is he going to throw? What field is it? According to that, I should bat. So both of us had the same plan,” Rizvi said.

“Because the things that I used to think in my mind, that I have to do this, I have to do that. I have been able to do that in this match. The way I play, I have been able to play tonight,” he said. “So I am feeling very good,” he added.

“Everyone tried very well in the tournament. We couldn’t go to the knockouts. But everyone did well,” he said of Delhi not making it to the play-offs.