Shaik Rasheed finally had his career-defining moment in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 14. The 20-year-old made his Indian Premier League debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and made a telling contribution. Batting at the top, he scored a nifty 27 runs from 19 balls as CSK chased down 167 runs against Lucknow Super Giants. This was not only a debut, it was a wait of long duration that finally came good. Rasheed had been warming the bench since CSK purchased him for ₹20 lakh during the IPL 2023 auction. He was given a chance only after Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured and Devon Conway didn't deliver. But Rasheed seized the opportunity. His aggressive start helped CSK end a five-match losing streak and stay in the playoff hunt. For most of the young players, playing for CSK is a dream. And the primary reason is one man, MS Dhoni. He is not only a captain but a mentor and a guide. Most cricketers have developed under him. Shardul Thakur, Sam Curran, and Tushar Deshpande are great examples of how Dhoni makes players develop. Shaik Rasheed and Shaik Balisha Vali, his father, were thrilled by the debut. His father recalled that CSK had been taking a keen interest in Rasheed well before the auction. Talking to Indian Express, Vali said: "We were informed by CSK that they will pick him in the auction. We were told that they were following him from the U-16 days. As soon as he won the U-19 World Cup, they picked him. Before CSK, Rasheed’s game was built around defence. After going there, he learnt the attacking game. He introduced me to MS Dhoni in 2023." But like any father, Vali had his concerns. Rasheed had just turned 19. He was worried whether his son would handle the pressure and the big stage. But those fears disappeared after one important conversation. Also Read | IPL 2025: Shubman Gill punished for code of conduct breach during GT vs DC MS Dhoni’s conversation with Shaik Rasheed’s father Vali remembered how Dhoni put him at ease shortly after Rasheed had joined CSK. He did not mention the words that Dhoni used, but that conversation put all his reservations to rest and convinced him that his son was where he belonged, with the right man. MSD said to Rasheed's father: "Leave Rasheed’s career to us. We like his discipline and game a lot. Leave his career to us; just take care of his fitness and give him good food when he comes home." Shaik Rasheed's journey is only in his starting phase. But his debut has inspired many young cricketers waiting for their chance. And with MS Dhoni as his guide, Rasheed appears to be in good hands.