New Delhi: In less than a week, Sameer Rizvi has become the toast of the ongoing IPL. The boy wonder from Uttar Pradesh managed two runs under pressure to keep Delhi Capitals unbeaten in the tournament. That has repaid the franchise’s faith, especially considering the team was on the mend during the transfer window a few months ago. As reported by TimesofIndia.com in November, Sanju Samson was very close to a DC move before the conversation hit a snag. The lockout was not because of Samson or Tristan Stubbs – the player whose name was on the exchange table – but because of RR’s demand for “another uncapped Indian player”. The franchise was willing to let go of Samson, who had already decided to move himself, but wanted to make a bargain in the transaction. The uncapped Indian name that was on the table was none other than Rizvi and DC quickly took a back seat as they were unwilling to let go of a player they see a lot of potential in. Even if it meant not having the explosive Samson on the team.
Watch
‘Bowlers have it tough’ – Glenn Phillips breaks down modern T20 cricketHailing from Uttar Pradesh, Rizvi played just five matches in the 2025 season and scored 121 runs, but the think tank was seemingly happy with what it saw in the matches and led them to a longer bet on the right-hander during training sessions. DC were convinced they got a steal at Rs 95 lakh – less than Rizvi’s 2024 price tag of Rs 8.40 crore paid by CSK – and the work he has put into his game over the past 12 months will reap rewards in the 2026 season.In an unbeaten 70 under pressure against Lucknow Super Giants and then a masterful 90 against Mumbai Indians, the 22-year-old showed maturity beyond his years in both contests to take the league by storm. His last three outings for DC, including the final game of the 2025 season, were Player of the Match performances. He mastered two tricky run-chases this season with a very calm head and remained undeterred by the situation, the opportunity and the opponent. He made considerable noise in the age-group circuit for Uttar Pradesh during his formative years but was put on the map after CSK went all out to get him in the 2024 auction for Rs 8.40 crore. The returns weren’t encouraging in his debut season, but the lessons from the setbacks helped him understand his areas of concern. He spent the next 12-18 months improving his game against quality pace and the comfort was evident in his knocks against LSG and MI.
Sameer Rizvi of Delhi Capitals plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April. 4, 2026. (AP)
He came into bat for 7/2 vs. MI and 21/2 vs LSG, but both times the plan was simple: buy time, prepare and dominate. The start wasn’t explosive, but he recovered in the second half of the innings and more importantly handled the situation perfectly. DC had the option of sending much more experienced batsmen but they preferred Rizvi and he repaid their faith. Many promising Indian uncapped players experience jitters in their first season, but few come back to dominate like Rizvi. The youngster recognized his weakness against fast bowling, spent extra hours getting comfortable and the ease with which he operated in both run chases showed that he is in control.
Sameer Rizvi celebrates his half-century during the Indian Premier League 2026 match against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. (OR)
“In the last 12 months, I have worked a lot on my game. fast bowlers for kabhi hoti thi problem, toh unpe maine poora saal kaam kiya hai. I am getting rewards for my hard work. I try to play according to the situation, especially in the chase, so I played in both the innings. I asked for it till the last minute. He helped me a lot,” said Rizvi after the match-winning match against MI in Delhi.It’s still early days in the IPL and Rizvi’s career, but from what we’ve seen of the youngster so far, the road ahead looks very promising. The DC think tank deserves a pat on the back first for getting it in a steal and then for resisting all temptations with the transfer.
