Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on Sameer Rizvi, calling him a shining example of successful talent scouting after the youngster’s match-winning performances for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. Rizvi has quickly emerged as one of the standout performers this season. After rescuing Delhi in their opener against Lucknow Super Giants, the 22-year-old delivered another composed yet aggressive knock against the Mumbai Indians.

Walking in at a precarious 7/2 while chasing 163, Rizvi steadied the innings before shifting gears brilliantly, finishing with a stunning 90 off 51 balls to guide his side to a second consecutive win.

“I want to talk about Sameer Rizvi. What a batter he is,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “We talk about talent scouting, and this is exactly what it looks like when it pays off.”

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Ravichandran Ashwin also reflected on Rizvi’s journey through the IPL system, pointing out how he was previously part of the Chennai Super Kings setup but didn’t get extended backing.

“CSK could have retained him for a small amount, but DC picked him for just ₹95 lakh. The return on investment now looks massive,” he added.

Rizvi’s rise hasn’t come out of nowhere. He entered IPL 2026 in red-hot form after an impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, where he scored 238 runs in seven matches at an average of 59.5. What stands out most is his composure under pressure.

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On a tricky surface against MI, Rizvi controlled his strokeplay smartly before unleashing his range, striking seven fours and seven sixes. His back-to-back match-winning efforts have not only lifted Delhi to the top of the table but also earned him the Orange Cap early in the season. For Delhi Capitals, the investment in Rizvi is already paying off—and perhaps far beyond expectations.