Haseen Rizvi took the drastic step of prohibiting his brother-in-law, Tankeeb Akhtar, from entering their household. The underlying cause of this action was Tankeeb’s unwavering belief in his nephew Sameer Rizvi’s cricketing potential, aspiring to see him don the Indian jersey.

On a significant Tuesday, Mamu Tankeeb moved one step closer to realizing his dream as Sameer Rizvi, a resident of Meerut, garnered attention with a staggering bid of Rs 8.40 crore from the Chennai Super Kings. This made Sameer Rizvi the day’s highest-earning uncapped player.

Reflecting on the journey, Sameer Rizvi expressed gratitude to Tankeeb, stating, “Mamu was always there with me. If I think about it, there would be barely 14 days in the past 14 years when he wasn’t with me at the ground.” He acknowledged Tankeeb’s unwavering belief, even in moments when Sameer himself doubted. Tankeeb’s insistence on watching the auction, despite Sameer Rizvi’s reluctance, turned out to be a pivotal moment in the young cricketer’s life.

The family dynamic had seen strained relationships as Tankeeb refrained from visiting his sister’s house due to taunts from his brother-in-law. This changed three years ago when Sameer, at the age of 16, made his Ranji Trophy debut. Tankeeb recalled the past, saying, “Don’t spoil him. Don’t make him like you. What have you gained from playing cricket?” He laughed about those moments, emphasizing the transformation in their relationship. Tankeeb’s brother-in-law’s words, once hurtful, turned into laughter as Sameer’s success became evident.

Tankeeb shared an emotional moment with his brother-in-law, holding hands and shedding tears, especially considering Sameer’s father’s health struggles in the past three years. Tankeeb acknowledged the added responsibility brought by the substantial price tag, expressing his concern about ensuring Sameer remains grounded amid newfound success.

As Sameer’s coach, Tankeeb recognized that his role is now transitioning, as more qualified coaches at Uttar Pradesh, the National Cricket Academy, and Chennai Super Kings take charge. Tankeeb, with a touch of humor, acknowledged the impending challenge of keeping Sameer’s feet on the ground, recognizing the tough task ahead.

Sunil Joshi, former India left-arm spinner and the current coach of Uttar Pradesh, praised Sameer’s game, highlighting his versatility to bat anywhere between Nos. 4 and 7. Joshi recognized Sameer’s ability to adapt to different roles, emphasizing his excellent finishing skills akin to Rinku Singh.

Sameer’s big-hitting prowess and impressive statistics in various T20 tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the UP T20 League, underscore his promising talent. Joshi expressed his lack of surprise at Sameer’s rise, given the inherent talent that has been honed and elevated over the years.

Tankeeb revealed that Sameer looks up to Rohit Sharma as his role model, admiring Rohit’s effortless batting. Tankeeb humorously mentioned that Sameer used to pester him with questions about whether his pull shot resembled Rohit’s. Despite the absence of a direct similarity, Sameer believes he bats like Rohit.

Tankeeb expressed happiness at Sameer joining Chennai Super Kings, highlighting the invaluable learning experience that comes with being around MS Dhoni for three months. He anticipates that this exposure will contribute significantly to Sameer’s growth as a cricketer.

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