Licensed photo · Photo: Hemant Joshi / Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India, via PIB Photo Gallery (ID 162098). Licensed under Government Open Data License-India (GODL-India). Source: https://pib.gov.in/photshare/162098_3_1_photoshare.aspx ; license: https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf; file: Sanju Samson in PMO New Delhi.jpg; file page: Sanju Samson in PMO New Delhi.jpg; license: Government Open Data License-India (GODL-India); no endorsement; factual editorial use only Verified 22 Oct 2026
Cricket · Wicketkeeper batter; attacking top-order right-handed batter
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is an Indian wicketkeeper-batter whose right-handed, attacking top-order game has carried from Kerala cricket to India and the IPL, with format-specific records and a documented 2026 brand partnership.
IndiaBorn 11 November 1994
Current statusIndia international wicketkeeper-batter. Rajasthan Royals' official trade announcement dated 15 November 2025 says Samson moved to Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026; this is a dated status snapshot verified 2026-10-22.
The verified profile
Sanju Viswanath Samson is an Indian cricketer from Pulluvila, Vizhinjam, in the Thiruvananthapuram area. Public career sources describe him as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter. Explore the Cricket players desk for related profiles who can score briskly and who sees himself as a top-order batter. His senior path includes Kerala, India Under-19s, India, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. The profile keeps international, domestic and franchise totals in separate format groups and avoids unverified financial claims.
Factual references: Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6How to read the player
Samson's public playing identity is built around wicketkeeping, clean right-handed strokeplay and an attacking top-order role. The record also shows a stop-start international chronology alongside sustained franchise and domestic output: he made a 212 not out in List A cricket in 2019, reached the IPL final as Rajasthan captain in 2022, and is listed by ESPNcricinfo with three consecutive T20I hundreds among his records. The analysis distinguishes observed source descriptions from editorial synthesis and does not turn a past RR captaincy into a current-team claim.
Original analysis by International Cricket DeskCareer, life and public work
Every section and number below is tied to the named source ledger. Sport-specific statistics retain their stated scope and verification date.
Career through last listed ODI
ESPNcricinfo format table; displayed career snapshot, last listed ODI 2023-12-21.
Career through last listed T20I
ESPNcricinfo format table; last listed T20I 2026-10-06.
Career total
ESPNcricinfo format table; career snapshot displayed 2026-10-22.
Career total
ESPNcricinfo format table; career snapshot displayed 2026-10-22.
Career total across T20 cricket
ESPNcricinfo format table; career snapshot displayed 2026-10-22.
IPL career total
Rajasthan Royals and ESPNcricinfo IPL career tables; career snapshot displayed 2026-10-22.
Public background
Sanju Viswanath Samson was born on 11 November 1994 in Pulluvila, Vizhinjam, in the Trivandrum area. ESPNcricinfo describes his early cricket development as moving from first lessons in Delhi to junior cricket in Kerala, where his batting and wicketkeeping drew attention. The public record used here stays with sport and career context rather than private family, school, residence or health details.
From Kerala to India and the IPL
Samson made his first-class debut for Kerala in November 2011, followed by List A cricket in February 2012. Rajasthan Royals selected him for the IPL in 2013, while his India T20I debut came in July 2015 and his ODI debut in July 2021. His pathway has combined domestic cricket, franchise cricket and intermittent international opportunities. Related context: Virat Kohli is an already-live Cricket profile.
Career, records and awards
The documented highlights include the 2013 IPL best young player award, a 212 not out in the 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy, an IPL final appearance as Rajasthan captain in 2022, and membership of India's 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad without a tournament appearance. ESPNcricinfo also lists consecutive-innings hundreds among his T20I records. Statistics below are separated by format and dated to the source's displayed career snapshot rather than blended into one total. For another established Cricket profile, see Babar Azam.
Role and playing style
ICC and ESPNcricinfo identify Samson as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter. Rajasthan Royals describes him as an attacking batter who sees himself as a top-order player and can score briskly. Editorially, that supports a profile centred on top-order intent, wicketkeeping and strokeplay; it does not imply that every innings follows the same tempo.
Selection gaps and return to form
ESPNcricinfo records long gaps between some of Samson's India appearances and describes his international opportunities as intermittent. Rajasthan Royals' account says his T20I journey included highs and lows, while also noting three centuries in his final five T20 innings of 2024. This profile presents that chronology as historical context and makes no medical or rumour-based explanation.
Current public status
As of 22 October 2026, Samson remains an active India international in the cited ICC and ESPNcricinfo profiles. For franchise status, the dated Rajasthan Royals announcement says he moved to Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026. This is a dated public sports-status snapshot, not a claim about an unverified future roster.
Documented business and foundation activity
The commercial record is separated from ownership claims. Al Ansari Exchange announced a one-year brand ambassador partnership on 30 July 2026 covering advertising, digital content, public appearances and customer engagement. Separately, the Sanju Samson Foundation identifies Samson as its founder, says it was founded in 2023, and describes youth sports and education programmes. Neither source supports a net-worth, salary or ownership valuation claim, so none is included.
Career timeline
Selected verified milestones
- First-class debut
Debuted for Kerala against Vidarbha in Nagpur.
ESPNcricinfo - T20 debut
Debuted for Kerala against Hyderabad in Chennai.
ESPNcricinfo - List A debut
Debuted for Kerala against Andhra in Bengaluru.
ESPNcricinfo - IPL arrival
Rajasthan Royals selected Samson; ESPNcricinfo records his best young player award that season.
ESPNcricinfo - India T20I debut
Made his T20I debut for India against Zimbabwe in Harare.
ESPNcricinfo - India ODI debut
Made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo on 23 July 2021.
ESPNcricinfo - RR captaincy begins
Rajasthan Royals appointed Samson captain, according to the franchise profile.
Rajasthan Royals - IPL final
Led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL final; Gujarat Titans won the title.
ESPNcricinfo - T20 World Cup squad
Was part of India's victorious 2024 T20 World Cup squad, without appearing in a match.
Rajasthan Royals - Trade to Chennai Super Kings
Rajasthan Royals announced Samson would move to CSK ahead of IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals - Brand ambassador announcement
Al Ansari Exchange announced a one-year partnership naming Samson its brand ambassador.
Al Ansari Exchange
Achievement index
Source-linked reference points
Best young player of IPL 2013
ESPNcricinfo records the award after 206 runs and 13 catches in the 2013 season.
First-class double century
ESPNcricinfo records 530 runs at an average just under 60 in 2013-14, including a double-hundred in his first game of the season.
Vijay Hazare Trophy record score
Samson made 212 not out for Kerala against Goa, described by ESPNcricinfo as the highest score in the competition at the time.
IPL final appearance
As Rajasthan Royals captain, Samson led the side to the IPL final, where it finished runner-up to Gujarat Titans.
Member of India's 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad
Rajasthan Royals' profile identifies Samson as a member of India's victorious squad; it notes he did not play a match in the tournament.
Three consecutive T20I hundreds
ESPNcricinfo lists consecutive-innings hundreds as one of Samson's T20I records.
Sources and method
What supports this profile
SportsHub4U writes verified facts in original language and links to the source pages used. Each link records the evidence reviewed for this dossier.
- 01International Cricket Council
Sanju Samson | Player Profile
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 02Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson IPL Career Profile & Stats
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 03ESPNcricinfo
Sanju Samson Profile - Cricket Player India
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 04Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals announce major trade: Ravindra Jadeja returns home, Sam Curran joins the Royals; Sanju Samson bids farewell
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 05Al Ansari Exchange
Al Ansari Exchange Signs Indian Cricketer Sanju Samson as Brand Ambassador
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 06Sanju Samson Foundation
Sanju Samson Foundation | Legacy Beyond Cricket
Accessed 2026-10-22