Sanju Samson’s Domestic Career

Sanju Samson made his First-Class debut for Kerala in 2012 at the age of 17. Strong performances in his debut domestic season earned him selection for the Under-19 Asia Cup in the same year, though the tournament proved underwhelming as he scored only 14 runs in three innings.

His breakthrough at the international age-group level came during the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he finished as the sixth-highest run-scorer of the tournament. His consistent performances highlighted his solid technique and temperament.

The 2013–14 Ranji Trophy season was a key phase in Samson’s development. He scored two centuries and a half-century, accumulating 530 runs, largely in challenging seaming conditions, which further strengthened his reputation as a dependable red-ball batter.

At the start of the 2015–16 Ranji Trophy season, Samson was appointed captain of Kerala, becoming the youngest player to lead a team for an entire Ranji Trophy campaign. His leadership role reflected his importance within the Kerala setup.

In August 2018, Samson was suspended by the Kerala Cricket Association following an on-field disagreement with then-captain Sachin Baby. Despite the setback, he continued to deliver strong domestic performances.

The 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy marked a high point in his List A career. Samson scored his maiden double century and was involved in a record 338-run partnership with Sachin Baby, which remains the highest partnership in List A cricket history.

Sanju Samson’s IPL Career

Sanju Samson was first signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2013 but did not feature in a match that season. He gained prominence after joining the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014, where he benefited from the mentorship of Rahul Dravid.

During the two-season suspension of the Rajasthan Royals, Samson represented Delhi Daredevils (now called Delhi Capitals) in IPL 2016 and 2017, scoring 291 and 386 runs respectively. After returning to Rajasthan in 2018, he became a consistent top-order batter, scoring 441 runs in 2018, 342 runs in 2019, and 375 runs in 2020.

Samson’s best IPL season came in 2024, when he led the Rajasthan Royals as captain. He scored 531 runs in 15 matches at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 149.16. Under his leadership, Rajasthan finished third in the league stage and qualified for the playoffs, only to be eliminated in Qualifier 2 by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction, in an unexpected move, RR traded their captain, Sanju, to the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings. CSK traded star all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR in exchange, marking a significant shift for both franchises. Samson joined CSK at his existing fee of INR 18 crore, ending his long tenure with the Royals.

Sanju Samson’s International Career

Sanju Samson made his T20I debut for India on July 19, 2015, against Zimbabwe, scoring 19 runs off 24 balls. After doing multiple merry-go-rounds, he was selected in India’s 15-member squad for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup but did not feature in the playing XI, serving as a reserve wicketkeeper during the tournament.

Following the retirement of senior players from T20Is, Samson became a regular member of India’s T20I squad. He established himself as an opener during the Zimbabwe tour and delivered a series of impactful performances later in 2024.

In the home T20I series against Bangladesh, Samson scored his maiden T20I century, making 111 off 47 balls in the final match. He followed it up with strong performances against South Africa, scoring 107 in the first T20I and an unbeaten 109 in the fourth match of the series. However, his inconsistency has often been questioned, and his international average is considered below par by modern standards.

While his attacking game and natural flair make him a valuable asset in the shorter format, the risk of relying on his fitness and consistency remains a concern for India. Nonetheless, he has been entrusted by the national selectors for the T20 World Cup 2026. 

(As of February 2026)