Sanju Viswanath Samson, popularly known as Sanju Samson, is a talented cricketer hailing from India. Born on November 11, 1994, in Trivandrum, Kerala, he is known for his explosive batting skills and exceptional wicket-keeping abilities. Samson gained popularity by showcasing his talents in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he mesmerized fans with his exceptional performances for the Rajasthan Royals.
Samson’s cricketing journey began in Delhi, where his father served as a police constable. However, he later moved to Kerala, where he honed his skills and made a remarkable impact on the junior cricket circuit. Blessed with a remarkable technique and an innate ability to time the ball crisply, he quickly made a mark with his batting prowess.
In 2011, Samson’s potential was recognized, and he earned a spot in the India team for the Under-19 Asia Cup. Despite not making a significant impact in the tournament, he continued to work hard and dreamt of representing his nation on the international stage. Unfortunately, he missed out on selection for the U-19 World Cup the following year.
Samson’s fortunes changed when he was picked by the Rajasthan Royals in the 2013 IPL auction at the tender age of 18. Since then, he has been an indispensable part of the franchise’s lineup, amassing over 3000 runs in eight seasons. In 2021, Samson’s impressive performances led to him being appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals. He began his captaincy stint with a phenomenal 119 off 63 balls in the tournament opener against the Punjab Kings and consistently scored crucial runs throughout the season.
Despite his individual brilliance, Samson’s leadership could not lift the Rajasthan Royals to a higher rank in the IPL points table. However, in 2022, the team finished as the runners-up, with Samson contributing significantly with 458 runs that season.
Samson’s achievements extend to the domestic circuit as well. He made his first-class debut in the 2011-2012 season and proved his mettle as a talented batsman and wicket-keeper for Kerala in the Ranji Trophy. In the 2013-2014 season, he made heads turn with 530 runs at an average of nearly 60, including a double-hundred in his debut match. He followed up with another impressive season, scoring 475 runs the next year. At the young age of 20, Samson was appointed captain of the Kerala side in the 2015-2016 season.
In addition to his exploits in the shorter formats of the game, Samson showcased his remarkable white-ball skills in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in October 2019. He scored an unbeaten 212 runs, which remains the highest individual score in the history of the tournament at the time, playing for Kerala against Goa.
Samson’s international career had its ups and downs. He made his T20 international debut in July 2015 against Zimbabwe but faced a significant gap before his next appearance in the format for India. However, he made a strong comeback and made his One Day International (ODI) debut in 2021. He followed it up with a noteworthy performance in the West Indies, scoring 54 runs in the second match.
Sanju Samson’s career continues to evolve, and fans eagerly await his future exploits on the domestic and international stage. With his exceptional batting skills, remarkable consistency, and immense talent, Samson has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in Indian cricket.
