Shaik Rasheed is the new debutant to take the field for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Here’s everything you need to know about 20-year-old Andhra opener, who is a regular in his team on the domestic front. Chennai Super Kings have opted to make a major change and introduce young Shaik Rasheed to the team for his IPL debut in the game against Lucknow Super Giants. CSK, which is anchored to the bottom of the IPL 2025 table, made two team changes to the game in Lucknow.
IPL Debut for Shaik Rasheed After U19 World Cup
Batter Shaik Rasheed becomes one of the Chennai Super Kings’ debutants in the Indian Premier League as the young man takes to the field against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Monday. The Andhra boy was selected by CSK for Rs 30 lakh from the IPL 2025 auction. Rasheed is with the CSK camp since 2023 but is featuring in his first-ever IPL 2025 match on Monday. He was with the Indian team that won the U19 World Cup in 2022. He is a regular in the Andhra team. In 19 matches, he has scored 1204 runs at 46.04 average. In 17 T20 matches, he has made 352 runs at a rate of 29.33 and a strike rate of 127.07.
Opportunities Are Created by Devon Conway’s Absence
With Devon Conway not available in the playing XI, CSK has placed their bet on the young man. Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni stated, “Well blessed, we receive good support. Thank you all the fans. We would like to bowl first, there are chances of dew here. The wicket improves. It’s crucial to set the right temperament. We have not been consistent with our batting. With the ball we are strong back strong. It’s crucial to have a positive mindset, play those big shots. It’s a matter of time. We have two changes.”
Lucknow Super Giants skipper Risbhabh Pant said, “It’s just great. We would have bowled first. In Lucknow it’s slow in the first innings, improves gradually. The only thing we discussed about CSK is that we don’t want to offer them an opening, just need to give our 100%. We want to go out there and play good cricket. Only one change – Marsh returns in place of Himmat Singh.”
CSK selected the 20-year-old player at the IPL 2025 auction for ₹30 lakh. Though he has been part of the team since 2023, the year CSK won the IPL championship, he has not received a game as yet until April 14, 2025, against LSG.
With CSK being poor with the bat in IPL 2025, as well as with the ball and on the field, the franchise will be hoping Rashid injects some fresh air. The franchise’s campaign has plummeted since they won their first match against the Mumbai Indians and are now at the bottom of the IPL table with 5 defeats out of their 6 matches to date.
In the first three overs, Rashid explained why Dhoni, in defiance of custom, assigned him the opening role despite his youth and inexperience. In the second over, Rashid blasted three fours against Akashdeep, the bowler for the Indian International squad. He launched the fifth ball over Akashdeep’s head for a boundary, flipped the ball for a four through mid-wicket on the third ball, and sent the final ball through mid-wicket. Rashid, known as Guntur Boy, shocked the commentators with each shot.
