Sameer Rizvi, a promising young cricketer from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has been making headlines for his recent performances. An uncapped player, he made headlines after being sold for ₹8.40 crore to the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 auction, thereby becoming the costliest uncapped player of the season. From the local grounds to the IPL franchise, his journey speaks volumes about his dedication and hard work.

Early Life and Background

Sameer was born on 6 December 2003 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. There is really good support from the family. His father Haseen Lohia is a property dealer and mother Rukhsana has always inspired him to become a successful cricketer.

Sameer’s love for cricket started at the age of 11 when he commenced training with his maternal uncle, Tanqib Akhtar, at the Gandhibagh Academy. His uncle trained him, keeping him in good stead with all the fundamentals of the sport. Although there were initial concerns regarding his academics, his family eventually supported his decision to pursue cricket seriously.

Domestic Cricket Career

At 16, Sameer made his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy, facing a challenging start against Madhya Pradesh. However, he remained determined to improve.

He made his entry into the List A format during the 2021-22 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring a total of 205 runs in 11 matches at an average of 29.28. Then he made his T20 debut on October 16, 2022, against Manipur, demonstrating his skills in a shorter format of the game.

In the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he contributed significantly, including a 61-run knock against Andhra Pradesh, proving his ability to perform under pressure.

Record-Breaking Performances

Success in Uttar Pradesh U-16 Cricket

He eventually scored 610 runs within seven matches during the UP Under-16 tournaments and proved to be a future legend.

Leading Run-Scorer UP T20 League 2023

In 2023, Sameer turned out to be the highest run-getter in UP T20 League with 455 runs involving 2 centuries, catching the eye of many scouts from IPL.

Costliest Uncapped Player in IPL 2024

The IPL 2024 saw fierce bidding for Sameer, in the end, won by CSK for ₹8.40 crore, which clearly indicates the faith of the team in its value.

Captaincy and Performance in UP T20 League 2024

Leading Kanpur Superstars, Sameer impressed with 469 runs, including notable performances like 89 off 59 balls against Lucknow Falcons and 87 against Gorakhpur Lions. His leadership and batting skills made him a standout performer.

Interesting Facts About Sameer Rizvi

Fastest Century in UP T20: 49-ball 104 and counting.
Successful captaincy: Led UP’s U-23 team to win the State A Trophy with an 84-run knock. Special T20 debut: Rinku Singh handed him the first domestic T20 cap.
Good T20 Average: Entered the IPL 2024 auction with a T20 average of about 50.
India U-19: Showed his capabilities with the junior Indian team.

Net Worth and Income

With the IPL contract worth ₹8.40 crore, Sameer’s net worth received a huge boost. Apart from IPL earnings, he draws a yearly salary between ₹20-30 lakh from domestic cricket.

Inspiration and Future Prospects

Sameer looks up to MS Dhoni, whose calmness and strategic approach have influenced Sameers own approach to the game. Also, he idolizes Rohit Sharma and would love to bat like him.