Delhi Capitals batter Sameer Rizvi played an excellent knock of 70* off 47 balls to help his team win their opening match of the season against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Sameer Rizvi delivers under pressure to guide Delhi Capitals to victory
While chasing a target of 142, Delhi Capitals came under pressure from the very first ball as they lost KL Rahul for a duck. Then Nitish Rana, on his debut, also could not do much, and DC were 21/2 after his wicket. Sameer Rizvi then came in as an Impact Player to bat at No. 4. After that, they lost two more quick wickets and were 26/4 in the fifth over. At one stage, it looked like the match was slipping away from Delhi Capitals, but Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs, who came in at No. 6, had other plans.
They built a steady partnership and, as the target was not very big, they took their time. The duo put together a match-winning partnership of 119 off 76 balls, which helped Delhi Capitals win the match by six wickets with 17 balls to spare. Sameer Rizvi played a match-winning knock of 70* off 47 balls, including five fours and four sixes, with a strike rate of 148.94. Tristan Stubbs also played his part, but it was Rizvi's show, especially as this was his home ground since he plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh.
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Sameer Rizvi reveals coaches backed him to bat at No. 4
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sameer Rizvi, who received the Player of the Match award, said that the coaches have backed him to bat at No. 4 and play his natural game.
"No, the coaches had already told me earlier that I will bat at No. 4. They said they will back me and that I should play my natural, positive game. My No. 4 position was already decided," Sameer Rizvi said.
Sameer Rizvi has been in good form in domestic cricket this season. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, he scored 191 runs at an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 135.46. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 238 runs in seven innings at an average of 59.50.
Rizvi, who is just 22 years old, showed great maturity and delivered a strong performance, living up to the faith shown by the team management.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will now head to their home ground, where they will face Mumbai Indians on April 4 in an afternoon match starting at 3:30 pm.
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