During the more significant hours almost tried hands and claps of many interested fans, the Chennai Super Kings had summoned a debut cap to this 20-year-old, Shaik Rasheed, for the match against the Lucknow Super Giants, emerging due to the injury suffered by Devon Conway. As CSK looks for fresh energy in their top order, all eyes are now on this talented right-hander who’s earned his shot on the biggest T20 stage in the world.
Shaik Rasheed hails from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, but his cricketing career started in Hyderabad. Like many Indian youngsters with dreams of making it big. His father, Shaik Balishavali, once a banker, quit his job just to focus on his son’s cricketing aspirations. Financial constraints meant Rasheed practiced with synthetic balls, but he made the most of what he had. Back in those days, there were no elite academies, no fancy equipment; only sweat and passion, with the burning dream of slipping into that India jersey.
The real breakthrough performance came in 2022 when he was vice-captain of the ICC U-19 World Cup. He recovered from COVID during the tournament but when required, went on to score a brilliant 94 in the semi-final against Australia and a fine half-century in the final against England, when India clinched the cup in Rasheed’s name. He managed to score a phenomenal 94 runs against Australia in the semifinals and completed a commendable half-century in the finals against England when the occasion called for him to perform, even recovering from COVID during the tournament.
In the domestic circuit, Rasheed has quietly built a solid reputation. In the recent Ranji Trophy season, he notched up his maiden double century for Andhra Pradesh a knock that made headlines. In T20s, he’s also shown promise, racking up 352 runs in 17 matches with a century to his name.
His calm temperament and ability to absorb pressure were seen as rare qualities for someone so young traits that CSK captain MS Dhoni is known to admire. CSK first picked him up in the 2023 IPL auction for ₹20 lakh, but he didn’t feature in any game that season. Fast forward to 2025, the franchise showed renewed faith by re-signing him for ₹30 lakh. And now, with Devon Conway injured and CSK looking for fresh energy, Rasheed has finally been handed his big opportunity.
It’s not at all easy to replace someone like Conway. But Rasheed does not carry the solemn air of intimidated big shoes. He is serious, humble, and grounded-perfect for CSK culture. This debut isn’t just a chance to play it’s the culmination of years of hard work, the dream of a family, and the arrival of a young man who never gave up.
