Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson

Role:

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style:

Country: India

Team: Rajasthan Royals

Player profile for Sanju Samson

Early Life and Education

Sanju hails from a Malayali Christian family. His father, Samson Viswanath, was a Delhi Police officer and a former football player, while his mother, Ligy Viswanath, is a homemaker. He has an elder brother, Saly Samson, who has represented Kerala in junior cricket. Sanju spent his early years in Delhi, attending Rosary Senior Secondary School and training under coach Yashpal at the DL DAV Model School academy. After relocating to Kerala, he trained under Biju George at the Medical College Ground in Thiruvananthapuram. He graduated with a B.A. in English literature from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Domestic and IPL Career

  • Domestic Debut: Sanju made his first-class debut for Kerala in 2011. In the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored an unbeaten 212 against Goa, marking the second-fastest double-century in List A cricket.
  • IPL Journey:
    • 2013: Debuted with Rajasthan Royals, scoring 206 runs and winning the Emerging Player award.
    • 2016-2017: Played for Delhi Capitals, amassing 677 runs over two seasons.
    • 2018-Present: Returned to Rajasthan Royals, consistently contributing with the bat and leading the team as captain since 2021.

International Career

  • T20I Debut: Sanju debuted for India in a T20 match against Zimbabwe on July 19, 2015.
  • ODI Debut: He made his One Day International debut against Sri Lanka on July 23, 2021.
  • Record-Breaking Performances:
    • 2024: Scored three T20I centuries, setting a new record for the most T20I centuries in a calendar year. Became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a T20I century and the first to achieve consecutive T20I centuries.

Playing Style

Sanju is celebrated for his aggressive and elegant batting style, characterized by powerful stroke play and excellent hand-eye coordination. As a wicket-keeper, he is known for his agility and sharp reflexes behind the stumps.

Off the Field

Beyond cricket, Sanju served as the brand ambassador for Kerala Blasters FC, an Indian Super League football club, in February 2023.

Sanju Samson’s journey from a young talent in Kerala to an international cricket star exemplifies dedication and exceptional skill, solidifying his status as a valuable asset to Indian cricket.