Who is Sameer Rizvi? The Dhoni-inspired talent with a Raina connection

Delhi Capitals pulled off one of the most dramatic wins of IPL 2026, but the biggest talking point was not just the victory. It was the arrival of Sameer Rizvi.

Chasing a modest 142 against Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Stadium, DC were in deep trouble at 26 for 4. The game looked almost done. What followed was a complete turnaround.

Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs stitched together an unbeaten 119 run partnership to take DC home with ease. Rizvi led the charge with a calm and composed 70 not out off 47 balls, while Stubbs supported him with 39 not out. Delhi finished at 145 for 4 with 17 balls to spare.

Earlier in the match, DC’s bowlers had already done their job. Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan picked up three wickets each to restrict LSG to 141.

Sameer Rizvi is a right handed middle order batter from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He is known for his fearless batting, especially against spin, and is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young finishers in the IPL.

Rizvi’s IPL journey has not been straightforward.

He was bought by Chennai Super Kings for ₹8.40 crore, making him the most expensive uncapped player that season. He made headlines instantly by hitting his very first IPL ball for a six off Rashid Khan. But beyond that moment, it was a tough run. He managed just 51 runs in 8 innings and was released.

That setback turned into motivation.

Delhi Capitals picked him up for just ₹95 lakh last season. He showed glimpses of his potential, including a quickfire 58 not out off 25 balls against Punjab Kings.

Now, Rizvi looks like a completely different player.  Retained by DC, he has started 2026 in beast mode, currently averaging 63.6 with a strike rate over 151 after back-to-back match-winning performances against Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.

Rizvi’s power hitting is not new. He has been doing it consistently in domestic cricket.

In the U23 State A Trophy, he smashed the fastest double century in the tournament’s history, scoring 201 off just 97 balls with 20 sixes.

In the UP T20 League, he made headlines again. He scored a 47 ball century and finished as the top run scorer in one season with 491 runs, including 36 sixes.

He also played a key role for Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with important knocks like 88 off 77 and 80 off 45.

Rizvi’s story is not just about cricket.

His life changed when his father suffered a brain hemorrhage. At a very young age, Rizvi became the main support for his family. That responsibility has shaped his mindset and maturity on the field.

He was trained from the age of six by his maternal uncle, Tankeeb Akhtar, at the Gandhibagh Academy in Meerut.

There is also a special moment from his childhood that still stands out.

When he was just eight years old, his fielding impressed Suresh Raina during a Ranji Trophy match. Raina gifted him his sunglasses, a gesture that Rizvi still remembers.

Today, many compare his batting style to Raina because of his aggressive approach against spin.

Rizvi himself looks up to MS Dhoni as his biggest inspiration, especially for finishing games under pressure.