Sameer Rizvi has turned heads in the IPL over the past couple of seasons. The kid from Meerut plays with zero fear—walking out to bat like he owns the place, smashing spinners and pacers alike. He’s carved out a niche as a lower-order finisher who can flip a game on its head in a matter of deliveries. Delhi Capitals clearly see something special in him, which is why they held onto him for IPL 2026.
Where He Stands for IPL 2026
DC kept Rizvi at the same price tag he commanded before. Not a massive number, but the retention itself speaks volumes about how the franchise views his future.
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| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Delhi Capitals |
| Role | Lower-order batter / Finisher |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| IPL 2026 Price | ₹95 Lakh |
| How Acquired | Retained |
| First IPL Season | 2024 |
The Player
Born November 6, 2003, Rizvi walked into the IPL in 2024 and immediately made people sit up. His very first ball in the tournament? He deposited Rashid Khan—one of the best T20 spinners on the planet—into the stands. That’s not nerves. That’s audacity.
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What makes him tick:
- He genuinely doesn’t seem intimidated by reputation. Spin or pace, he backs himself.
- Death-overs batting is his sweet spot. Give him 15 balls, and he can change everything.
- His timing and power are natural. Clean bat swing, proper weight transfer.
- Pressure situations don’t rattle him the way they might a 21-year-old with limited experience.
His 2025 campaign showed he’s not a flash in the pan. Short innings, yes, but the kind that shift momentum.
Career Numbers Through 2025
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 19 |
| Runs | 381 |
| Best Score | 90 |
| Average | 31.75 |
| Strike Rate | 145.97 |
| Fifties | 3 |
| Fours | 30 |
| Sixes | 22 |
A strike rate pushing 146 tells you everything about how he approaches his craft. He’s not there to accumulate—he’s there to attack.
Season Breakdown
2026 (ongoing):
- 6 matches, 209 runs
- Top score of 90
- Averaging 41.80 at a strike rate of 150.35
2025:
- 5 matches, 121 runs
- Top score: 58 not out
- Average of 40.33, strike rate above 153
2024 (debut season):
- 8 matches, 51 runs
- Struggled a bit with consistency
- Strike rate dipped to 118
That unbeaten 58 off just 25 balls in 2025 was the innings where it clicked. He looked like a different player—composed yet destructive.
In the Field
Nineteen matches, four catches. Nothing spectacular, but he’s safe. Gets to the ball, takes what’s offered. No liability out there.
With the Ball
He doesn’t bowl. Pure specialist with the bat.
Auction History
| Year | Price | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ₹95 Lakh | Delhi Capitals |
| 2026 | ₹95 Lakh | Delhi Capitals (retained) |
Same number, same team. DC didn’t feel the need to let him hit the auction pool and risk losing him.
Moments That Define Him
- Smacking Rashid Khan for six on his first IPL delivery. That takes guts.
- His 90 this season showed he can build an innings, not just slog.
- Three fifties already despite batting deep in the order with limited opportunities.
- That strike rate hasn’t dipped below 140 across seasons—he’s committed to attacking cricket.
Recent Form
His last ten knocks have been a mixed bag, which you’d expect from someone batting at 6 or 7. Some games he doesn’t get enough deliveries; others he walks in with the team in trouble. But when he’s gotten a chance to settle—even briefly—he’s produced. The 90 and a 70 in recent games prove he can deliver when it counts.
What DC Expects From Him
The franchise is betting on Rizvi becoming:
- Their go-to finisher when games go deep
- A spin-hitter who can neutralize quality slow bowlers in the middle overs
- Someone who can walk in at 15 overs and immediately play at 150-plus strike rate
- A long-term investment who might eventually represent India in T20s
He’s not a finished product yet. But he’s clearly on a trajectory.
The Bottom Line
Delhi Capitals didn’t retain Sameer Rizvi because he’s cheap. They retained him because they believe he’s going to be a problem for opposition bowlers for years to come. At 21, he’s already shown he belongs at this level. The fearlessness, the clean hitting, the composure—it’s all there.
