Sanju Viswanath Samson, born on November 11, 1994, in Trivandrum, Kerala, India, is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman. He represents Kerala in domestic cricket and has played for several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), most notably for the Rajasthan Royals, where he has also served as captain. Samson is known for his aggressive batting style and sharp wicketkeeping skills. He made his debut for the Kerala senior team in 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most exciting talents in Indian cricket. Samson made his India debut in a T20 International against Zimbabwe in July 2015.
Biography
Sanju Samson was introduced to cricket by his father, a former police constable and football player, who played a pivotal role in nurturing his son’s talent from a very young age. Samson’s cricketing journey began in earnest when he joined the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Thiruvananthapuram, where his potential was quickly recognized.
His performances at the junior level propelled him into the Kerala Under-19 team, and he made headlines with a century on his Ranji Trophy debut for Kerala at the age of 17. His ability to play innings of substance, combined with his agility behind the stumps, made him a sought-after player in the IPL. He was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 but made his real impact with the Rajasthan Royals, where his performances earned him widespread acclaim.
Samson’s domestic performances have been consistently impressive, helping Kerala achieve significant victories. His IPL exploits, including multiple centuries and a number of explosive innings, have showcased his ability to dominate high-quality bowling attacks.
Sporting Achievements
Sanju Samson’s cricketing career is adorned with numerous accolades and memorable performances:
- Domestic Cricket: Samson has been a mainstay of the Kerala cricket team, contributing significantly in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He has scored centuries and effected crucial stumpings and catches, playing a key role in Kerala’s successes over the years.
- Indian Premier League (IPL): In the IPL, Samson has been known for his explosive batting, scoring multiple centuries and half-centuries. His aggressive batting at the top of the order has made him one of the most exciting batsmen in the league. Samson has also served as the captain of the Rajasthan Royals, showcasing his leadership qualities.
- International Cricket: Samson made his debut for the Indian national team in T20Is against Zimbabwe in 2015. Although his appearances for India have been sporadic, he has shown glimpses of his talent on the international stage, including scoring his maiden half-century in T20Is against Sri Lanka.
Sanju Samson’s journey from a talented youngster to a key player for Kerala and the Rajasthan Royals, as well as a player for the Indian national team, underscores his status as one of the most talented cricketers in India. His career continues to evolve, with many looking forward to his contributions to Indian cricket in the years to come.
Player Stats
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| ODIs | 16 | 14 | 5 | 510 | 108 | 56.66 | 512 | 99.60 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 22 | 9 | 2 |
| T20Is | 25 | 22 | 2 | 374 | 77 | 18.70 | 281 | 133.09 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 15 | 14 | 4 |
| FC | 62 | 102 | 8 | 3623 | 211 | 38.54 | 6177 | 58.65 | 10 | 16 | 420 | 83 | 89 | 7 |
| List A | 128 | 119 | 16 | 3487 | 212* | 33.85 | 3865 | 90.21 | 3 | 19 | 293 | 109 | 125 | 15 |
| T20s | 257 | 246 | 27 | 6190 | 119 | 28.26 | 4644 | 133.29 | 3 | 40 | 501 | 274 | 129 | 29 |
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| ODIs | 16 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| T20Is | 25 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| FC | 62 | 2 | 12 | 18 | 0 | – | – | – | 9.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 128 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | 3.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 257 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 4.00 | 8.00 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |