Kanpur Superstars captain Sameer Rizvi who represented Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, scored a 49-ball 93, but the blazing knock in went in vain as his side lost by 13 runs. In the Uttar Pradesh Premier League 2025, Dhruv Jurel-led Gaur Gorakhapur Lions got the better of Kanpur Superstars as Rizvi lacked support from the other end.
Juyal, Nath help Lions post fighting total
Earlier, Jurel won the toss and opted to bat first at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Jurel was dismissed for a single-digit score by Aaqib Khan in the third over. Aryan Juyal and Akshdeep Nath shared a 59-run partnership. Abhishek Yadav's direct hit dismissed Nath for a 21-ball 28. Juyal reached his fifty from 43 balls in the 14th over. The acceleration came in the slog overs. Juyal scored 90 runs from 65 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. On the other end, Siddharth Yadav hit five sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 27-ball 56. The 124-run partnership for the third wicket helped Gaur Gorakhapur Lions post 193/2.
Rizvi, the lone warrior in the run chase
In the run chase, Kanpur Superstars lost two wickets early on in the innings. Vasu Vats dismissed Faiz Ahmed lbw whereas Adarsh Singh was run out. They lost another wicket in the powerplay overs. Rizvi targeted Kunal Yadav with a six and two fours helping Kanpur Superstars post 52/3.
Rizvi continued to wreak havoc and hit Vijay Yadav for two sixes and a four in the eighth over. In the next over, he reached his fifty from 23 balls. Kanpur Superstars lost two more wickets before the halfway stage. They were 88/5 after 10 overs. Rizvi's onslaught continued. In the 17th over, Teerath Singh ended Superstars' hopes of a comeback with a double strike. He knocked over Rizvi. The 21-year-old scored 93 runs from 39 balls, including nine fours and five sixes. Wickets kept falling and Kanpur Superstars were bowled out for 180 in 19.5 overs.
5th defeat in a row
This was Kanpur Superstars' fifth consecutive defeat in the season. Despite the team's losing streak, Rizvi is the third-highest run-scorer in the season. He has scored 182 runs from five innings at an average of 36.40 and strike rate of 146.77.
Rizvi’s IPL 2025 numbers
In IPL 2025 mega auction, Rizvi was roped in for Rs 95 lakh by DC. He scored 121 runs from four innings at an average of 40.33 and strike rate of 153.16. His maiden IPL fifty came in an inconsequential match against Punjab Kings (PBKS).