This article provides a complete profile of Sanju Samson, including his background, IPL career overview, season-wise performances, strengths, weaknesses, and key statistics.
Sanju Samson Player Bio
Sanju Samson Personal Info
- Full Name: Sanju Viswanath Samson
- Date of Birth: November 11, 1994
- Age: 31 years
- Birthplace: Pulluvila, Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Playing Role: Wicketkeeper-batter
- IPL Team: Rajasthan Royals
- Leadership: Former Rajasthan Royals captain
Batting Style & Approach
Sanju Samson is an attacking top-order batter who relies on clean timing rather than brute force. He prefers hitting straight and through the covers, using fast hands and balance with minimal foot movement.
He looks to dominate bowlers early, plays lofted shots with control, and is particularly effective against pace bowling.
Wicketkeeping & Fielding Value
Alongside his batting, Samson is a reliable wicketkeeper with quick reflexes and safe hands. He contributes with sharp stumpings and is also a capable outfielder, often used in deeper positions due to his athleticism.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Effortless timing and clean hitting
- Strong record as a top-order IPL batter
- Big-match temperament
- Proven IPL leadership experience
- Dependable wicketkeeping
Weaknesses
- Inconsistency across extended formats
- Strike rotation against quality spin
- Vulnerability to short-pitched bowling
- International career affected by irregular opportunities and role clarity
Sanju Samson Early Life
Sanju Samson was born in Pulluvila, Kerala, and spent his early childhood in Delhi, where his father worked as a police constable. He began his cricket training in Delhi before his family moved to Thiruvananthapuram during his early teens.
In Kerala, Samson trained under coach Biju George and quickly stood out for his clean timing and natural batting ability. He went on to captain Kerala at Under-16 and Under-19 levels, establishing himself as one of the state’s top young prospects.
He was selected for India’s Under-19 Asia Cup squad in 2011 but missed out on the Under-19 World Cup the following year, an early setback in his career.
Sanju Samson IPL & Professional Career Overview
IPL Career in Brief
Sanju Samson’s IPL journey took off in 2013 when Rajasthan Royals signed him at the age of 18. He made an immediate impact, winning the Emerging Player of the Season award in his debut year. Except for two seasons with Delhi Daredevils (2016–17), when Rajasthan were suspended, Samson has been a long-term mainstay for the Royals.
In 2021, he was appointed Rajasthan Royals captain and became the first IPL skipper to score a century on captaincy debut. His leadership peak came in 2022, when he led the team to the IPL final. By the start of IPL 2026, Samson had established himself as the franchise’s all-time leading run-scorer.
Season-Wise IPL Performance (Runs)
- 2013: 206 (Emerging Player of the Season)
- 2014: 339
- 2015: 204
- 2016: 291 (Delhi Daredevils)
- 2017: 386 (Delhi Daredevils)
- 2018: 441
- 2019: 342
- 2020: 375
- 2021: 484 (Captaincy debut, century in opening match)
- 2022: 458 (Led RR to final)
- 2023: 362
- 2024: 531 (Best IPL season)
IPL Total (as of 2024): 4,419 runs in 168 matches
Domestic Career Highlights
Sanju Samson made his first-class debut for Kerala in the 2011 -12 season and quickly impressed as both a batter and wicketkeeper. His breakthrough came in the 2013 -14 Ranji Trophy, where he scored 530 runs, including a double century.
At just 20 years old, he was appointed Kerala’s captain for the 2015 -16 Ranji season. In 2019, Samson produced a landmark innings, scoring 212* in the Vijay Hazare Trophy – then the highest individual score in the tournament’s history.
International Career in Brief
Sanju Samson made his T20I debut in 2015 but experienced a stop-start international career due to heavy competition and inconsistent selection. He made his ODI debut in 2021, though regular opportunities remained limited.
His international breakthrough came later, with a match-winning ODI century against South Africa in 2023, followed by multiple T20I centuries between 2023 and 2024, strengthening his case as a white-ball specialist.
Major Achievements
- Emerging Player of the IPL 2013
- First IPL captain to score a century on captaincy debut
- 212* in Vijay Hazare Trophy (fastest double hundred by an Indian at the time)
- Youngest full-season Ranji captain for Kerala
- Led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2022 final
Sanju Samson Overall Stats
Batting Career Summary
| Category | Test | ODI | T20I | IPL |
| Matches | 0 | 16 | 55 | 176 |
| Innings | 0 | 14 | 47 | 172 |
| Runs | 0 | 510 | 1,048 | 4,704 |
| Balls Faced | 0 | 512 | 710 | 3,383 |
| High Score | 0 | 108 | 111 | 119 |
| Average | 0.00 | 56.67 | 24.37 | 30.75 |
| Strike Rate | 0.00 | 99.61 | 147.61 | 139.05 |
| Not Out | 0 | 5 | 4 | 19 |
| 100s | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 50s | 0 | 3 | 3 | 26 |
| 4s | 0 | 34 | 84 | 379 |
| 6s | 0 | 22 | 59 | 219 |
| Ducks | 0 | 0 | 7 | 11 |
| 200s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 300s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 400s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Career Summary
| Category | Test | ODI | T20I | IPL |
| Matches | 0 | 16 | 55 | 176 |
| Innings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Balls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Runs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Maidens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wickets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Average | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Economy | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Strike Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| BBI (Best) | -/- | -/- | -/- | -/- |
| BBM (Match) | -/- | -/- | -/- | -/- |
| 4w | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5w | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10w | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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