DC vs CSK, IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals’ specialist batter Sameer Rizvi proved his mettle after being promoted as an impact player against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2026 game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 5, Tuesday. The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 40 and smashed four sixes in his knock to lift the Capitals to a competitive total of 155 on a tricky surface. His contribution is especially significant, given the controversy surrounding alleging him of forced religious conversion, linking to presenter Yesha Sagar.
DC vs CSK, IPL 2026: Why was Sameer Rizvi promoted as an impact powerplay?
With the Capitals losing wickets in clumps, they eventually slumped to 69/5 in the 11th over of the innings. While the right-handed batter started slowly, it was in the 18th over of the innings that he began teeing off, clobbering two sixes off Anshul Kamboj’s bowling. He also finished the innings off with a six as the Capitals set a fighting 156-run target for the Yellow Army.
DC vs CSK, IPL 2026: What is the controversy between Yesha Sagar and Sameer Rizvi?
A senior journalist named Abhishek Tripathi had released a cryptic tweet about the alleged relationship on X. As per the viral tweet, the cricketer from Uttar Pradesh has been imposing his religious and conservative opinions on the female anchor. Furthermore, the cricketer has also allegedly been asking her to memorise Islamic verses while he is away for practice in the nets. Additionally, the post on X stated that he asked her to stop shaking hands with other male players and greet them.
Hence, the spotlight has been on Rizvi but the Delhi Capitals hasn’t issued any statement on it. Moreover, Sagar also tweeted saying, ‘Don’t believe everything you see or read on the internet.’
उत्तर प्रदेश के एक मुस्लिम क्रिकेटर का एक हिंदू महिला एंकर (चैनल की नहीं, लीग में एंकरिंग करने वाली) से अफेयर चल रहा है। एंकर की एक दोस्त ने बताया क्रिकेटर कहता है कि जब तक मैं प्रैक्टिस करके आता हूं तब तक आयतें याद कर लो। वो कहता है कि अब तुम किसी क्रिकेटर से हाथ नहीं मिलाओगी।…
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) April 30, 2026
DC vs CSK: How has Sameer Rizvi performed in IPL 2026?
Meanwhile, the Meerut-born cricketer started his season with scores of 70* and 90 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians, respectively, to win the Player of the Match award. But Rizvi registered three single-figure scores in the next three innings, followed by 41 against the SunRisers Hyderabad in a losing cause.
He was also dismissed for a duck against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) but this unbeaten 40 should give him plenty of confidence.
