Why is Sameer Rizvi not playing today? The IPL 2026 Orange Cap holder is once again missing from Delhi Capitals’ starting XI for tonight’s DC vs GT clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, despite back-to-back match-winning performances as impact player. Axar Patel confirmed at the toss that DC are going in with an unchanged playing XI, which means Rizvi starts on the bench — available as an impact sub, but not in the first eleven.
It is a deliberate tactical choice, not an injury or disciplinary issue. So what happened to Sameer Rizvi, and why is the most in-form batter in the tournament sitting out at the start?
UPDATE: David Miller retired hurt during the chase with a finger injury
Sameer Rizvi’s IPL 2026 Impact Player Role
Rizvi has not started a single match for Delhi Capitals this season. In both of DC’s first two games — against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians — he was introduced as an impact player during the chase, replacing a bowler after the first innings was completed.
The results speak for themselves:
| Match | Came In For | Innings | Result | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSG vs DC | T Natarajan | 70* off 43 balls | DC won by 6 wickets | Player of the Match |
| DC vs MI | Mukesh Kumar | 90 off 51 balls (7×4, 7×6) | DC won by 6 wickets | Player of the Match |
That is 160 runs in two innings at a strike rate above 150, two Player of the Match awards, and the Orange Cap. No other batter in IPL 2026 has been as consistently destructive.
Yet DC continue to name Rizvi as an impact sub option rather than in the starting XI. The logic is straightforward: by keeping him out of the first eleven, DC can field an extra specialist bowler in the first innings and then swap Rizvi in for the chase, giving themselves both bowling depth and batting firepower across the match.
It is the most effective use of the impact player rule seen so far in IPL 2026 — and arguably the best tactical deployment of the rule since its introduction.
Why No Rizvi In The Starting XI vs GT?
Axar Patel confirmed at the DC vs GT toss: “Same XI for us.” That means the same eleven that started against LSG and MI takes the field tonight, with Rizvi once again among the impact player options alongside Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, and Mukesh Kumar.
DC chose to bowl first after winning the toss. If GT bat first and DC chase, expect Rizvi to be introduced as a substitute — likely replacing one of the bowlers — just as he has in both previous matches. His entry point has typically been when DC’s chase begins, allowing him to bat in the top five.
Shubman Gill won the GT toss preference battle by wanting to bat first anyway: “We were going to bat first. If the weather stays this way, there’ll be no dew in the second innings.” GT are unchanged apart from Gill returning for Kumar Kushagra.
Is Sameer Rizvi Injured?
No. Is Sameer Rizvi injured? There is no injury concern. Rizvi is fully fit and available — he is simply being used as a strategic weapon off the bench rather than a starting player. His three consecutive fifties (58* in DC’s final game of IPL 2025, then 70* and 90 this season) confirm he is in the form of his life.
DC vs GT Playing XIs
Delhi Capitals playing XI: KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Vipraj Nigam, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact sub options: Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi Dar, Sameer Rizvi, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair.
Gujarat Titans playing XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma.
Impact sub options: Prasidh Krishna, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar, Jayant Yadav, Anuj Rawat.
What To Expect From Rizvi Tonight
If DC chase — which is their plan after electing to bowl — Rizvi will almost certainly come in as impact player. His record in this role is extraordinary, and DC have no reason to change a formula that has delivered two wins from two. The question is not whether Rizvi will play, but when he enters and who he replaces.
Against a GT bowling attack featuring Rashid Khan, Rizvi’s ability to dominate spin will be tested. In IPL 2024, he announced himself with a six off his first ball against Rashid while playing for CSK. A repeat performance tonight would further cement his status as IPL 2026’s breakout star.
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