Early Life and Domestic Cricket:

Sanju Samson was born on November 11, 1994, in Pulluvila, a small village in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His initial exposure to cricket came in Delhi, where his father was posted as a police constable, but it was in Kerala where he honed his skills. Samson debuted in first-class cricket for Kerala in 2011 at the age of 17, quickly making an impact with his aggressive batting style and sharp wicket-keeping skills. His performances in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic tournament, were notable, where he scored his first first-class century against Andhra Pradesh in 2011-12.

Indian Premier League (IPL):

Samson’s breakthrough came with his performances in the IPL. He was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2013 IPL auction and has been associated with them ever since, except for a brief stint with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2016-17. His ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease quickly made him a fan favorite.

2013: Made an IPL debut with a notable 63 off 41 balls against Kings XI Punjab.
2017: Returned to Rajasthan Royals, where he has consistently delivered high scores, including a match-winning 102 not out against Chennai Super Kings in 2019.
Captaincy: Took over captaincy of Rajasthan Royals in 2021, leading them to the IPL final in 2022 and showcasing leadership qualities alongside his batting prowess.

International Career:

Samson’s international career has seen starts and stops, but his talent has never been in doubt:

T20I Debut: Made his debut in July 2015 against Zimbabwe, where he scored 19 runs. His first T20I fifty came against Sri Lanka in 2017.
ODI Debut: Debuted in ODIs against Sri Lanka in July 2021, where he made 46 runs in his first match.
Breakthrough Performances: Samson’s international career saw significant moments like his back-to-back T20I centuries in 2022, making him the first Indian to achieve this feat. These innings included 119 against South Africa and 108 against Ireland, both in Dublin.
2024 T20 World Cup: Samson was part of the Indian team that clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup, contributing with crucial innings throughout the tournament.

Style and Achievements:

Batting: Known for his elegant yet powerful stroke play, Samson can switch between defensive and aggressive modes, making him a versatile middle-order batsman.
Wicket-Keeping: His agility behind the stumps has been another asset, although he has often competed with established keepers like Rishabh Pant for a spot in the Indian team.
Leadership: Under his captaincy, Rajasthan Royals have seen strategic improvements and a more cohesive team performance.

Challenges and Future:

Despite his talent, Samson’s international career has been marked by sporadic opportunities, often due to the stiff competition for spots in India’s star-studded batting lineup. However, his performances in domestic and IPL cricket keep him in the conversation for selection. His ability to perform under pressure, coupled with his leadership skills, suggests that Samson has much to offer to Indian cricket in the years to come, especially as the team looks towards balancing experience with youth in its transition phases.

Sanju Samson’s career trajectory is one of immense promise, with the potential to leave a lasting legacy both with Rajasthan Royals and on the international stage.