Sameer Rizvi

Born on December 06, 2003, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Sameer Rizvi is a right-handed batter with a right-arm off-break bowling style. Widely recognized as the "right-handed Suresh Raina" on social media, this nickname reflects his playing style, reminiscent of the renowned cricketer. Initiating his cricket journey at just eleven years old, Rizvi began training at Gandhibagh Academy in Meerut under the guidance of his maternal uncle, Tankeeb Akhtar, fostering his skills and passion for the sport.

In a notable Ranji Trophy match between Uttar Pradesh and Saurashtra in 2011, Rizvi's extraordinary fielding, even at the tender age of five, captured the attention of Uttar Pradesh captain Suresh Raina, who was impressed by the young talent's skills.

Although he initially opened the batting until the Under-16 level, Rizvi transitioned to the middle order based on his coach's observation of his innate ability to handle spin bowling. Over the years, he gained a reputation for his aggressive batting style.

At the age of 16, Rizvi made his debut in first-class cricket for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy in 2020. The following year, he entered List A cricket, representing Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

In the 2023 UP T20 League, Rizvi made headlines by amassing an impressive total of 455 runs in just nine innings for the Kanpur Superstars. This outstanding performance included two centuries, one of which was the fastest century of the tournament, achieved off mere 47 deliveries.

Due to his stellar performances in domestic cricket, it was only a matter of time before Rizvi secured a coveted spot in the Chennai franchise, sealing a substantial deal worth INR 8.40 crores in the Indian Premier League. However, after a couple of seasons filled with few opportunities, Chennai released him before the mega auction in 2024 and he was roped in by Delhi for the 2025 IPL season.

His 2025 campaign with Delhi proved to be a turning point. Rizvi shed the uncapped pressure, amassing 121 runs in 5 matches at an impressive average of 40.33 and a strike rate of 153.16. His standout moment came against Punjab, where he played a match-winning knock of 58 off 25 balls*, a performance that cemented his reputation as a fearless middle-order finisher.

While the IPL gave him the spotlight, his domestic form for Uttar Pradesh has been nothing short of prolific. In December 2024, Rizvi made national headlines by smashing the fastest double century in the U23 State A Trophy, scoring 201 runs off just 97 balls. He also continued to own the UP T20 League. In the 2025 season, he finished as the highest run-getter with 491 runs in 10 matches, averaging 61.37 with a staggering strike rate of 189.79. He struck 36 sixes in that single tournament, more than any other player.

Rizvi was equally instrumental in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, driving Uttar Pradesh’s run to the quarter-finals. He showcased his versatility with high-impact knocks, including a blistering 80 off 45 balls against Jammu and Kashmir and a steady 88 off 77 balls in the quarter-final against Saurashtra. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he remained a vital cog in the UP middle order.