Table of Contents
Shaik Rasheed made a striking entry into the Indian Premier League (IPL), etching his name into the Chennai Super Kings’ history books by becoming the youngest-ever opener for the franchise. The 20-year-old prodigy debuted on a high-pressure stage against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium, delivering a confident performance that belied his age. At just 20 years and 202 days, Rasheed surpassed the previous record held by England’s Sam Curran, who♔ had opened for CSK back in 2020 at the age of 22 years and 132 days.
Historic debut as an opener for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025
Despite the pressure of debuting for one of the IPL’s most decorated franchises, Rasheed showed remarkable composure and intent. Opening the innings while chasing a target of 167, he wasted no time settling in, striking 27 runs off just 19 deliveries. His knock, embellished with six crisp boundaries, gave CSK a positive and much-needed head start. It was a stroke-filled cameo that showcased his clean technique and fearless mindset – exactly the qualities CSK has been missing at the top of the order this season.
Rasheed’s confidence was further amplified by his 52-run opening partnership with New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, who contributed 37 off 22 balls. Together, the duo laid a strong foundation that had been rare for the strugglin🌟g five-time champions this season. The aggressive yet calculated start allowed CSK to take control early in the chase and provided a glimpse of what could be a dependable new opening combination in the matches to come.
Lesser known facts about CSK’s youngest opener Shaik Rasheed
1. Early life and background
- Rasheed was born on 24 September 2004 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. He belongs to a humble background where his father, Shaik Balishavali, worked as a banker, and his mother, Jyothi, is a homemaker. From a very young age, Rasheed displayed a deep interest in cricket, often playing locally in Guntur. His younger brother’s name is Shaik Riaz. He is a big admirer of Virat Kohli, whom he considers a batting role model, and his favorite color is purple.
- His early years were filled with struggle and sacrifice. When Rasheed started training at the Prasad Cricket Academy in Hyderabad, which was about 50 kilometers from his home, his father had to quit his job to support his son’s budding cricket career, often traveling daily by scooter for his practice sessions. Eventually, the family shifted back to Guntur, and Rasheed was admitted into the ACA’s residential cricket academy, where he began to receive structured training and guidance.
2. Education, initial setbacks and rise through junior cricket
- Rasheed completed his schooling at Reddy College in Andhra Pradesh. Due to financial constraints, his family couldn’t afford private cricket coaching, but his cricketing skills soon caught the attention of coach J Krishna Rao at the ACA academy.
- He was initially rejected from the Andhra Pradesh U-14 and U-16 squads. However, perseverance paid off, and two years later, he earned selection for the Andhra U-14 team. In 2018, he participated in the Vijay Merchant Trophy and had an outstanding tournament, scoring 674 runs at an average of 168.50, which included three centuries.
- His performance cemented his place as one of the top junior batters in the state. In 2020, he shone in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, emerging as the second-highest run-getter with 376 runs in just six matches.
3. Breakthrough in U-19 Cricket
- Rasheed’s breakthrough came when he was selected for India’s U-19 squad. He captained the India B side during the Challengers Trophy in November 2021, leading them to four wins.
- Later, he played in the 2021 U-19 Asia Cup and showcased his prowess by scoring 90 runs off 103 balls in the semi-final against Bangladesh. His most significant performance came during the U-19 Cricket World Cup 2022.
- Though he missed the initial matches due to testing positive for COVID-19, he made a strong comeback, scoring a crucial 94 off 108 balls in the semi-final against Australia and a half-century in the final against England. His calm presence in the middle order was instrumental in India lifting their fifth U-19 World Cup title in February 2022. Following this achievement, the Andhra Cricket Association honored him with a cash prize of INR 10 lakh.
Also READ: What is Robo dog? MS Dhoni was spotꦰted playing with it in I🌺PL 2025
4. Domestic career and meeting with VVS Laxman
- Representing Andhra Pradesh in domestic cricket, he has continued to impress with his batting technique and temperament. He is a right-handed batter and also bowls right-arm leg break occasionally. Rasheed’s coach, J Krishna Rao, remains a key influence in his development as a professional cricketer.
- I n 2020, Rasheed was awarded the Man of the Match in the U-19 Triangular Series, a moment he proudly shared on his Instagram. His innings in the U-19 World Cup 2022 brought him widespread recognition, both nationally and internationally. His composed knock in the semi-final against Australia and solid performance in the final under pressure were seen as signs of a future star in the making.
- Rasheed had a memorable meeting with VVS Laxman when he was just eight years old. He received a tournament award in the presence of the legendary cricketer, an experience that inspired him deeply.
5. IPL Journey with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Rasheed was included in the CSK’ squad under the Emerging Players’ Category for IPL 2023 (Season 16). He was bought by CSK for INR 30 lakh during the IPL 2023 auction.
- Rasheed has been a part of the CSK camp since 2023, regularly training and gaining exposure under the leadership of MS Dhoni. However, he has not featured in a single match for CSK over the last two seasons (IPL 2023 and IPL 2024), remaining on the bench as an uncapped player.
Also READ: Who is Anshul Kamboj? The young prodigy of Chennai Super Kings (C🎶SK) in IPL 2025
