Sanju Viswanath Samson is an Indian international cricketer and dynamic right-handed wicket-keeper–batter known for his elegant strokeplay, power hitting, and match-winning talents across limited-overs formats. Samson plays domestically for Kerala and has been a mainstay in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing several franchises and serving as a leader and impact batter. He has been part of India’s white-ball setup since 2015, contributing key innings in T20 internationals and ODIs.
Samson made his T20I debut for India on 19 July 2015 against Zimbabwe and his ODI debut on 23 July 2021 versus Sri Lanka. Over his international tenure, he has delivered influential performances at the top and middle of the order, including multiple centuries in T20Is and a maiden ODI hundred (108) in December 2023 against South Africa.
A standout moment in early 2026 came during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where Samson played a pivotal unbeaten innings of 97 to guide India to a crucial victory over the West Indies — the highest individual T20 World Cup chase knock by an Indian, earning widespread praise and cementing his reputation for big-game temperament.
Samson’s first-class career began with Kerala in 2011, where he quickly made a mark as a prolific run-scorer. In List-A cricket, he recorded an unbeaten 212 in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy — one of the fastest double centuries by an Indian and a standout performance in the format.
In the IPL, Samson debuted with Rajasthan Royals in 2013, earning Emerging Player of the Year honors for his contributions. Throughout his IPL career he also represented Delhi Daredevils, later returning to Rajasthan with sustained run tallies, and in 2026 joined Chennai Super Kings. Across seasons, he has been known for scoring heavily and anchoring innings under pressure.
Samson has also played for domestic T20 sides such as Kochi Blue Tigers, further showcasing his versatility and leadership in franchise cricket.
Samson is celebrated for his combination of timing and power, able to both accelerate scoring from the outset and build innings with fluency. As a wicket-keeper, his reflexes and anticipation add balance to team selection, while his ability to score quickly — particularly in T20 cricket — has made him a go-to match-shaping batter. His field presence and big-match temperament have been evident in key tournament knockdowns, notably in ICC competition.
Sanju Samson is a gifted Indian wicket-keeper–batter whose stylish strokeplay and ability to deliver under pressure have made him an essential figure in India’s limited-overs setup and a prolific performer in franchise cricket. With record-setting innings and a strong presence at the crease, Samson’s evolving career continues to highlight his impact on modern white-ball cricket.