Only 20, Sameer Rizvi of Uttar Pradesh had registered himself at the IPL 2024 auction at INR 20 lakh. Chennai Super Kings opened the bid, and Gujarat Titans countered them. The two teams bid until INR 7.6 crore when Gujarat opted out.

Delhi Capitals joined at this point, but they, too, gave in at INR 8.4 crore, a whopping 42 times the Rizvi’s base price.

Rizvi rose up from age-group cricket, through the usual grind of Under-14s, Under-16s, and Under-19s at state level. At 15, he debuted for the India Under-19s, and made his debut for the state senior team shortly afterwards.

He shot into limelight at the UP T20 League, for the Kanpur Superstars. He smashed 455 runs at a strike rate of 189, the best for anyone with a hundred runs in the tournament. His 35 sixes were the joint-most, while he hit a four or a six every 3.3 balls.

Then came the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he amassed 277 runs, the most for Uttar Pradesh, at a strike rate of 140, the best from his state after Rinku Singh’s 171. For his side, no one matched his 18 sixes.

Rizvi starred in the quarter-final against eventual champions Punjab, where he joined hands with Rinku to add an unbroken stand of 116 in 53 balls.

His current Twenty20 record – 295 runs at a strike rate of 135 – does not seem impressive, but he played a crucial role in Uttar Pradesh winning the inter-state Under-23 tournament. He also bowls some off spin.