The Meerut-born was signed by Chennai Super Kings for INR 8.4 Crores in the 2024 IPL Auction
Every Indian Premier League (IPL) auction comes with a golden opportunity for home-grown Indian stars to make a name for themselves. Meerut-born Samir Rizvi was one of the beneficiaries of the auction for the 2024 season. By sparking a bidding war between three sides – Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals respectively – Rizvi was signed for 42 times his base price of INR 20 lakh. Eventually, he was sold to five-time Indian Premier League champions: CSK for INR 8.4 Crores.
Just 20 years old, Rizvi has captured the imagination of many Indian Premier League (IPL) scouts with his strokeplay in the inaugural edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League. His young age did not prevent the Kanpur Superstars management from handing him the responsibility of captaincy, nor did it affect his batting.
Rizvi scored 455 runs in nine innings. His tally reached two centuries, including the fastest in the tournament (47 balls). A right-handed batsman who relied on his hands a little more than the rest, his range was on display as he left no area of the ground untouched. He also hit 35 sixes in those nine innings, the most in the league.
Having turned 20 a few days ago, Rizvi missed every IPL trial he was invited to because he was asked to captain the Uttar Pradesh Under-23 side. He entered the auction with a fantastic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season behind him, scoring over 250 runs at a strike rate of just under 140 and at an average of around 70.
Speaking during the IPL mock auction Geo cinemaformer Indian cricketer Abhinav Mukund stated that an Indian Premier League scout told him that Rizvi is the right-hander Suresh Raina.
“An IPL scout told me he was a right-hander Suresh Raina. The areas he hits against spin are similar and many teams might go after him,” Abhinav Mukund said.
This explains why CSK are keen to acquire the services of Rizvi. In more similarities with Raina, the Meerut-born also bowls an occasional catch.
Cover photo credits: Samir Rizvi’s Instagram