Sameer Rizvi's death-overs SR of 216 across 58 balls is one of the highest on DC's roster. Against pace at the death, 189 across 45 balls. That death-phase explosiveness profiles him as a finisher, but his overall WAR of 0.14 and projected 0.15 WAR/M keep him out of the optimal XII.

The middle overs are the problem. His middle SR of 126 across 198 balls shows he cannot score in overs 7-15. Against spin in the middle, 113 across 112 balls. That weakness is too large to overlook.

Why Ashutosh Sharma Gets the Nod

Sharma's positional fit at #7 (1.46) exceeds Rizvi's profile for the finisher slot. Sharma's death pace SR of 175 and death spin SR of 230 are strong, and his slightly higher WAR of 0.17 plus better fit score give him the edge. Rizvi's death numbers are flashier, but the 58 ball sample carries large error bars, and his 0.46 IPL confidence means heavy regression.

Development Path

Rizvi has only 14 T20 matches and 169 IPL balls. His batting sample of 247 total balls is one of the smallest on the roster. At his career stage, the death-overs ceiling is the bet. If he can improve his middle-overs spin hitting, he becomes a genuine finisher candidate for the XII.

His PP SR of 50 across 22 balls is based on a tiny sample and should not be taken seriously. His xImpact of 47 reflects moderate upside with significant uncertainty.

What This Means for IPL 2026

Rizvi is a development finisher behind Ashutosh Sharma. His death-overs talent is real but unproven at scale. He will compete for the #7 slot through the season, and if Sharma underperforms, Rizvi's death SR gives DC a high-ceiling alternative. His projected 0.15 WAR/M places him in the squad depth tier.