Sameer Rizvi walked out to bat with Delhi Capitals (DC) reeling at 7/2 in the 2nd over of their 163-run chase against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. What followed was an innings of pure brilliance, as he anchored and almost finished the chase, scoring 90 off 51 balls to fire his team to the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Points Table.
The 22-year-old scored at a strike rate of 176.47 with 7 fours, 7 sixes, showing maturity along with the aggression needed in the shortest format of the game.
Rizvi's innings was constructed in phases. The first was about control as batting alongside Pathum Nissanka, Rizvi absorbed pressure and stitched a 66-run stand that steadied a visibly rattled top order. There were no rushed strokes, no visible panic, just a clear intent to extend the innings.
The shift came once the platform was secure. Against Corbin Bosch in the 11th over, Rizvi slammed his foot on the accelerator. Until then the youngster had scored at a run-a-ball pace of 25 from 24 deliveries. He then instantly shifted gears against Bosch starting with back-to-back fours and then smashing back-to-back sixes to race to 45 off 29 balls at the end of the over.
Mumbai Indians turned to spin, looking to counter his onslaught, however the response was immediate. Facing Mayank Markande, Rizvi went aerial twice, skipping down the track and executing an inside-out loft over long-off to perfection, bringing up his fifty off just 31 balls, and celebrating the milestone with another hit straight down the ground off the next delivery.
Here's a look at the moment when he brought up back-to-back sixes in IPL 2026
Sameer 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗛 Rizvi 🥶
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 4, 2026
A third consecutive TATA IPL fifty for Sameer Rizvi, and he's once again holding the fort for @DelhiCapitals in the run chase! 🔥#TATAIPL 2026 | #DCvMI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/iF6yMsCqSG pic.twitter.com/EyekDmGVg5
Rizvi's dominance was further highlighted by his role in a 78-run stand with David Miller, during which the South African contributed just 11 off 11 balls, while the youngster from Uttar Pradesh smashed 65 off 28 balls at the other end.
By the time Rizvi he was caught in the deep, Delhi needed only 12 runs as he walked off to a standing ovation and congratulatory pats from his opponents.
𝗥𝗶𝘇-𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁, Sameer! 🫡
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 4, 2026
He was 7*(10) at one point and finished with a game-changing 90(51) 🔥
Back-to-back wins for Delhi Capitals, courtesy of Sameer Rizvi 💙#TATAIPL 2026 | #GTvRR | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/iF6yMsCqSG pic.twitter.com/2w4df087EB
Two matches into the season, a pattern is emerging. Against LSG, he walked in at 26/4 and made 70*. Here, at 7/2, he produced 90.
For Delhi Capitals, this is no longer a lower-order option finding form. It is a middle-order axis establishing itself under pressure.
Here's a look at his entire boundary filled innings against MI - CLUTCH AGAIN! Sameer Rizvi's scintillating 90(51) in the chase
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