Young Cricketer Shaik Rasheed’s Journey to Stardom

GUNTUR, India – Shaik Rasheed, a budding cricket talent, has captured attention after his remarkable rise from a summer camp participant to an emerging star in Indian cricket. At just 7 years old, he attended a camp in Uppal, where coaches quickly recognized his extraordinary batting skills.

“Before this, I did not know he was that talented, but after this, I took him daily to practice and brought him back home,” said his father, Shaik Balisha Vali, recalling the moment that sparked his son’s cricketing journey.

Under the guidance of coach AG Prasad, Rasheed honed his batting skills, eventually returning to his hometown Guntur for trials. His talent became evident when he was selected for both the U-14 Andhra state team and the U-16 Guntur Zilla side shortly after.

As Rasheed’s accolades mounted, Balisha Vali found himself contemplating whether his son was ready for the next step. When Rasheed was chosen for the ACA academy, one of only 20 players selected, he consulted the head coach, Krishna Rao, expressing his concerns. “I told him (Krishna Rao) he still wets the bed,” Balisha Vali recalled with a laugh, noting the young player’s tender age.

Krishna Rao emphasized Rasheed’s exceptional instincts, stating, “Just at the age of nine, he had a good ball sense. After watching the ball, one should know whether to go on the backfoot or the frontfoot, and he had it in him.” This awareness led to Rasheed playing in higher age groups, showcasing his talent.

Throughout his career, Rasheed assumed leadership roles, captaining state-level teams in age-group cricket, according to Gaddam Venkata Sarath Babu. His opportunities expanded further when, during the tenure of MSK Prasad as operations director in Andhra Cricket, Rasheed was selected to travel to the Durham Cricket Academy in Newcastle at just 11 years old.

“The three-month trip improved not just his batting, but his life skills,” remarked Sarath Babu, who noted Rasheed’s unique training scenarios on uneven wickets, where he regularly practiced for an hour daily.

As Rasheed’s cricket prospects brightened, his father faced professional sacrifices. Working previously at the State Bank of India, Balisha Vali switched to a private job at a Bajaj showroom to devote more time to his son’s cricket career. However, the job was short-lived due to frequent leave requests.

“I had to take care of Rasheed to take him to matches in various locations. Rasheed needed me by his side at that age,” Balisha Vali explained, ultimately leading to a move back to Guntur, a journey of around 40 kilometers from the academy.

Rasheed’s father soon faced another dilemma when the academy relocated to Kadapa. He recognized that sending Rasheed there might undermine his specialized training. “If we had sent him to Kadapa academy, he would be one among 20-30 members, but here he would get special attention,” Balisha Vali stated.

As the school and hostel facilities were discontinued, the responsibility fell on Balisha Vali, requiring him to work as a daily wage employee selling vegetables and fruits to support his son’s passion. “I used to earn 600-800 every day from that small job,” he said, showcasing his dedication.

Rasheed’s perseverance paid off when he was selected as vice-captain for India’s U-19 World Cup team in 2022. The triumph brought them financial relief, a moment Balisha Vali cherished as he beamed with pride, noting, “Going into that World Cup, he scored 13 hundreds at state level.”

In 2023, Rasheed was picked by the Chennai Super Kings for ₹20 lakh. Balisha Vali recalled, “They were following him since his U-16 days. As soon as he won the U-19 World Cup, they picked him.” His time with the team transformed his playing style. “Before CSK, Rasheed’s game was built around defense. After going there, he learned the attacking game,” Balisha Vali said proudly.

Meeting MS Dhoni further cemented Rasheed’s path. Balisha Vali recounted Dhoni’s reassurance: “Leave Rasheed’s career to us. We like his discipline and game a lot. Just take care of his fitness and provide good food when he comes home.” With such support, the future looks bright for young cricket prodigy Shaik Rasheed.