India | Wicketkeeper Batter
Sanju Viswanath Samson is an Indian international cricketer, who is a member of the white-ball formats of Indian national team. A right-handed wicket-keeper-batter, he captains Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and Kerala in domestic.
| Full Name Sanju Viswanath Samson | Born November 11, 1994, Pulluvila, Vizhinjam, Trivandrum | Age 30y 205d |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Fielding Position Wicketkeeper | Playing Role Wicketkeeper Batter |
TEAMS
 India  Rajasthan Royals  Delhi Daredevils  India Under-19s Indian Board President’s XI |
Kerala Cricket Association XI  Kolkata Knight RidersIndia A  Kerala North and South Zones |
Sanju Samson: The Dynamic Wicketkeeper-Batter Redefining Indian Cricket
Sanju Viswanath Samson, born on November 11, 1994 , in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter celebrated for his explosive stroke play and leadership. As captain of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a key figure in Indian cricket, Samson’s career reflects resilience, adaptability, and promise .
Early Career & Domestic Journey
Samson’s cricketing journey began in 2012 when he made his first-class debut for Kerala at just 17, showcasing early potential with gritty performances . His consistent displays in domestic cricket earned him selection for the India U-19 Asia Cup squad , laying the foundation for his rise. Over the years, he became a cornerstone of Kerala’s team, excelling as a middle-order batter and wicketkeeper. His aggressive yet calculated approach in domestic tournaments, including the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy , solidified his reputation as a reliable finisher .
Transitioning to multi-day cricket , Samson’s adaptability shone through. While primarily known for his T20 prowess, he demonstrated patience and technique in longer formats, scoring crucial runs for Kerala. His leadership skills emerged as he captained regional teams, earning praise for strategic acumen and calm demeanor under pressure.
International Career: Promise and Potential
Samson’s international debut came in 2015 during India’s T20 series against England, where he scored 18 runs in his first innings . Though opportunities in the senior team remained sporadic due to fierce competition from MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant, and Ishan Kishan, Samson remained a regular in India A and Emerging Teams squads. His 2021 recall to the T20I squad highlighted his consistency in the IPL, yet he struggled to cement a permanent spot, often serving as a backup wicketkeeper .
Despite limited international caps, Samson’s aggressive batting and glovework kept him in contention. Critics argue his Test and ODI potential remains underutilized, but his ability to anchor chases or accelerate in crunch moments underscores his value as a hybrid player.
Sanju Samson IPL factfile
– Sanju Samson is the captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR), and also their highest run-scorer with 3934 runs before the start of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
– He played for Royals from 2013-15, and then from 2018 onwards. Samson was part of the then Delhi Daredevils squad in 2016 and 2017, when Royals were banned for two IPL seasons because of corruption charges. His first stint in the IPL was in 2012, when he was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad but did not play a game for them.
– At the age of 19, Samson won the best young player of the season award in 2013, for scoring 206 runs and taking 13 catches. He has scored three IPL centuries to date.
– An attacking top-order batter and wicketkeeper, Samson led Royals to the IPL final in 2022, where they came runners-up to Gujarat Titans.
– With 531 runs in 2024, he was their second-highest run-getter that season. It was also the seventh successive time that Samson crossed the 300-run mark for Royals. RR retained him for INR 18 crore ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025.
Strong Zones: Aggression, Adaptability, and Leadership
Samson’s strongest zone lies in his explosive stroke play , particularly against spinners and in the death overs. His 360-degree batting allows him to score freely, whether pulling short deliveries or lofting spinners over mid-off. Defensively, his sharp reflexes behind the stumps and safe hands make him a reliable wicketkeeper.
Transitioning between roles—opener, middle-order batter, or finisher—Samson’s versatility sets him apart. As a leader, his calm composure and innovative strategies have revitalized Rajasthan Royals, blending youth and experience seamlessly.
Legacy: The Unfinished Symphony
Sanju Samson’s legacy hinges on consistency and leadership . While his international career lacks the trophy-laden narrative of contemporaries, his IPL success and domestic excellence position him as a future mentor for Indian cricket. Critics debate his Test potential, but his T20 credentials are undeniable.
Sanju Samson Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 16 | 14 | 5 | 510 | 108 | 56.66 | 512 | 99.60 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 22 | 9 | 2 |
| T20Is | 42 | 38 | 4 | 861 | 111 | 25.32 | 565 | 152.38 | 3 | 2 | 71 | 49 | 27 | 6 |
| FC | 65 | 107 | 9 | 3834 | 211 | 39.12 | 6395 | 59.95 | 11 | 16 | 443 | 92 | 94 | 7 |
| List A | 128 | 119 | 16 | 3487 | 212* | 33.85 | 3865 | 90.21 | 3 | 19 | 293 | 109 | 125 | 15 |
| T20s | 304 | 291 | 34 | 7629 | 119 | 29.68 | 5568 | 137.01 | 6 | 48 | 635 | 350 | 155 | 33 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 16 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| T20Is | 42 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| FC | 65 | 2 | 12 | 18 | 0 | – | – | – | 9.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 128 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | 3.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 304 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 4.00 | 8.00 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sanju Samson T20 Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 2 teams | 177 | 172 | 20 | 4704 | 119 | 30.94 | 3383 | 139.04 | 3 | 26 | 379 | 219 | 86 | 17 |
| CLT20 | RR | 6 | 6 | 1 | 192 | 60 | 38.40 | 151 | 127.15 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 2 teams | 177 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| CLT20 | RR | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Debut/Last Matches of Sanju Samson
ODI Matches
Debut
Sri Lanka vs India at Colombo (RPS) – July 23, 2021
Last
South Africa vs India at Paarl – December 21, 2023
T20I Matches
Debut
Zimbabwe vs India at Harare – July 19, 2015
Last
India vs England at Wankhede – February 02, 2025
FC Matches
Debut
Vidarbha vs Kerala at Nagpur – November 03 – 06, 2011
Last
Kerala vs Karnataka at Alur – October 18 – 21, 2024
List A Matches
Debut
Andhra vs Kerala at Bangalore – February 23, 2012
Last
South Africa vs India at Paarl – December 21, 2023
T20 Matches
Debut
Hyderabad vs Kerala at Chennai – October 16, 2011
Last
CSK vs RR at Delhi – May 20, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru