IPL 2026: Sameer Rizvi's Stellar 90 Powers DC to Victory Over MI
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) In an electrifying performance, Sameer Rizvi once again transformed the dynamics of a chase with a remarkable unbeaten score of 90 off just 51 deliveries, propelling Delhi Capitals to a convincing six-wicket victory against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, marking their second consecutive win in IPL 2026.
Chasing a target of 163, DC found themselves in a precarious position at 73/3, but Rizvi’s explosive batting turned the tide in favor of his team. With a strike-rate of 176.47, he smashed seven boundaries and seven sixes, forming crucial partnerships of 66 and 78 runs with Pathum Nissanka (44) and David Miller (21 not out) to finish the chase with 11 balls to spare.
Rizvi’s haul of seven sixes is now the highest ever recorded by a DC player against MI in IPL history, and only Jos Buttler has hit more sixes in a single IPL innings as an Impact Player. Mumbai, after posting 162/6 on a tricky pitch, will have concerns about their spin bowling, which allowed Delhi to capitalize effectively.
The chase began poorly for DC, losing KL Rahul to Deepak Chahar's inswinger, caught by Ryan Rickelton. Nitish Rana was run out after a mix-up while attempting a single against Jasprit Bumrah.
However, Nissanka maintained his composure, scoring runs off Chahar and Mitchell Santner with a series of impressive pulls and sweeps. Unfortunately, he was dismissed after top-edging a Santner delivery to short fine leg, which highlighted the earlier dropped catch by Naman Dhir that cost MI dearly.
Rizvi, who had a slow start, exploded into action in the 11th over, scoring 20 runs off Corbin Bosch and reaching his fifty off just 31 balls with back-to-back sixes against Mayank Markande. The crowd erupted as Rizvi continued to dominate, forcing MI to bring Bumrah back into the attack, but to no avail.
Chahar's efforts to contain the run-rate were futile as Rizvi hit him for a six over deep backward square leg, followed by a powerful four. The highlight of the innings was a massive six over deep extra cover against Thakur, while Miller contributed valuable runs with boundaries of his own. Rizvi fell just short of his century, caught at long-off against Bosch, but the victory for DC was already assured.
Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians 162/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 51, Rohit Sharma 35; Mukesh Kumar 2-26, Axar Patel 1-22) lost to Delhi Capitals 164/4 in 18.1 overs (Sameer Rizvi 90, Pathum Nissanka 44; Deepak Chahar 1-20, Mitchell Santner 1-22) by six wickets.