Ravindra Jadeja is known for his witty one-liners and his joke on MS Dhoni at a recent event has gone viral on social media. The image of Dhoni lifting Jadeja after the all-rounder scored the winning runs in the IPL 2023 final against Gujarat Titans has become iconic among cricket fans. During the event, both Dhoni and Jadeja were asked to describe the moment and the all-rounder came up with a hilarious comment that left the audience divided. Jadeja said it was a special moment before adding that he believes he is the only person after his wife Sakshi Dhoni, who was lifted by MS Dhoni.
“I believe I am the only man after Sakshi Bhabhi who was lifted by Mahi Bhai,” Jadeja joked.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings batsman Sameer Rizvi credited MS Dhoni for his small but quick and impactful knock in his maiden IPL match, saying the talismanic former India skipper advised him to play his natural game when he came to bat against Gujarat Giants.
Against GT here on Tuesday evening, Rizvi played a cameo of six-ball 14-run knock, including two sixes against Rashid Khan.
“Bhaiya (Dhoni) told me to play the way I generally play because it’s all about the actual gameplay. He said, ‘There’s nothing different. Skills remain the same, and it’s all just about the mentality. Never take any pressure and never be nervous and play depending on the situation,” he said in a video on IPLT20.com.
Rizvi recalled the moment when he was picked up by the franchise for a whopping Rs 8.4 crore during the pre-season auction as he felt his dream of meeting Dhoni will eventually come true.
“When I was picked up by CSK during the auction, my greatest happiness was that my dream of meeting Bhaiya (MS Dhoni) would come true. We also had net sessions together and learned a lot from him and the (support) staff. I plan to learn more and perform to the fullest.” Having played cricket for Uttar Pradesh, he has decent T20 numbers, scoring 309 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 137.33, including two half-centuries.
Speaking about his jersey number, the 20-year-old Meerut batsman said, “My jersey number is seven, which is currently worn by Bhaiya and I can’t get it. So I liked number 1 and I took it.” Rizvi also talked about the positive atmosphere in the CSK dressing room.
“Everyone in the team loves and supports each other. The thought process of hitting the six in my first ball came from my heart, and the team members also cheered for me with all their hearts,” he said.
“Every time I have a question in mind, I ask everyone in the team, whether batting or fielding, about their mentality while batting. Learning these little things would benefit me in the long run come,” he concluded.
CSK defeated GT by 63 runs on Tuesday and have two wins in as many matches. They will play against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
(With PTI inputs)
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