11 Sameer Rizvi

Known as the “Right-handed Suresh Raina” for his aggressive flair and dominance over spin, Sameer Rizvi (born December 6, 2003) is one of the most explosive young finishers in the Indian circuit. Hailing from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Rizvi’s journey from a record-shattering ₹8.4 Crore uncapped signing in 2024 to becoming a tactical anchor for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2026 is a testament to his immense power-hitting potential.

As of January 2026, Rizvi is in red-hot form. After a standout 2025 season where he delivered “clutch” performances for Delhi, he has been retained for the IPL 2026 season at his acquisition price of ₹95 Lakh. He enters the new campaign fresh from a prolific domestic run with Uttar Pradesh, including a vital 88 (77) in the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final on January 11, 2026.

Sameer Rizvi: Player Profile & 2026 Career Milestone

The Spin-Basher’s Breakthrough

Rizvi first became a viral sensation during his IPL debut in 2024, where he famously slog-swept Rashid Khan for a six off the very first ball he faced in the league. While his time with Chennai Super Kings was a learning curve, his move to the Delhi Capitals in 2025 saw him flourish. On May 24, 2025, he played a career-defining knock against Punjab Kings, smashing an unbeaten 58 off just 25 balls* to secure a dramatic victory for DC.

Domestic Dominance: The “UP T20” Legend

Rizvi’s reputation as a “box office” batter is backed by staggering domestic numbers. He has been the most consistent performer in the UP T20 League, finishing the 2025 season as a top run-getter with 491 runs at a massive strike rate of 161.51. His ability to hit the deck hard was also on display in December 2024, when he smashed a double century (201 off 97 balls) in the U23 State A Trophy against Tripura.

IPL 2026: The “Impact” Finisher

For the 2026 season, Delhi Capitals view Rizvi as their primary middle-order “enforcer.” Under the tactical guidance of the DC coaching staff, he is expected to bridge the gap between the top order and the lower-order hitters like Axar Patel. His versatility allows him to take on high-quality spin in the middle overs, a role that has made him an “Impact Player” favorite.

Sameer Rizvi: IPL & T20 Career Statistics

Data consolidated as of January 20, 2026.

IPL Batting Performance

Overall T20 Performance (Domestic + IPL)