Sanju Samson: The Inspiring Journey of India’s Cricket Star in 2025
Sanju Samson ; is one of India’s most exciting cricketers, blending elegant batting with sharp wicket-keeping skills. From a small coastal village in Kerala to captaining Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and smashing records in international cricket, his story is all about grit, family support, and never giving up. Despite facing tough competition for spots in the Indian team, Samson has shone brightly, especially in 2024 when he became the first player ever to score three T20I centuries in a single year. As of August 2025, he’s making waves in the Kerala Cricket League, sending strong signals ahead of the Asia Cup. This biography digs deep into his life—from humble beginnings to his latest exploits—drawing from reliable sources to give you the full, accurate picture.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Family
- How He Started Playing Cricket
- Domestic Cricket Career
- Youth Cricket Achievements
- International Cricket Career
- IPL Career
- Cricket Statistics
- Personal Life and Relationships
- Net Worth and Assets
- Latest Controversies and News
Sanju Samson; Early Life and Family
Sanju Samson grew up in a close-knit family that put everything on the line for his dreams. Born in a quiet fishing village, he spent his early years in Delhi because of his dad’s job. But when cricket called, the whole family uprooted their lives to give him a shot. His parents’ sacrifices, like his father quitting a stable job, show how much they believed in him. Today, Samson often shares heartfelt posts about his family, calling them his biggest strength. This section breaks down the key details of his roots.
Life wasn’t always easy for the Samsons. They lived modestly in Delhi’s police colony, where young Sanju played gully cricket. The move back to Kerala in 2007 was a game-changer, opening doors for both brothers in cricket. Saly, the elder one, also chased the sport but shifted to a steady job after injuries. The family’s Christian roots and sports-loving vibe shaped Sanju into the determined player he is today.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | November 11, 1994 |
| Birth Place | Pulluvila, Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Father | Samson Viswanath (former Delhi Police constable, retired footballer who played for Delhi in Santosh Trophy) |
| Mother | Ligy Viswanath (housewife) |
| Siblings | 1 elder brother (Saly Samson, born January 3, 1993; played junior cricket for Kerala, now works in AG’s office; married with a daughter named Hazel) |
| Family Condition | Modest middle-class; lived in Delhi police colony initially; father took voluntary retirement in 2007 to move back to Kerala for sons’ cricket opportunities |
Sanju Samson ;How He Started Playing Cricket
Sanju’s cricket spark ignited young, but it wasn’t smooth sailing. In Delhi, he trained hard but hit a wall with selections. That rejection hurt, but it pushed his family to make a bold move. Back in Kerala, he found mentors who polished his raw talent. He faced real struggles—like adjusting to a new place and proving himself—but those tough times built his never-say-die attitude. Coach Biju George often talks about spotting Sanju’s flair early, helping him with basics like keeping and batting.
Stories from his early days show a kid who practiced endlessly, even skipping meals sometimes. Joining local clubs gave him structure, and captaining teams young taught him leadership. These steps weren’t just about skill—they forged his mental toughness for the big leagues.
| Key Event | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Early Training | 2000-2007 | Trained under coach Yashpal at DL DAV Model School academy in Delhi; played gully cricket in police colony; represented Rosary Senior Secondary School |
| Rejection and Move | 2007 | Overlooked for Delhi U-13 team; family relocated to Thiruvananthapuram for better cricket prospects; initial struggles with adaptation |
| Key Coach Influence | 2007 onward | Joined Masters Cricket Club; trained under Biju George at Medical College Ground; focused on wicket-keeping and aggressive batting |
| First Breakthrough | 2007-2009 | Captained Kerala U-13; scored 973 runs in KSCA Inter-State U-13 (avg 108.11, 4 centuries); Player of the Tournament |
Sanju Samson ;Domestic Cricket Career
Sanju samson burst onto the domestic scene as a teen, quickly becoming Kerala’s go-to guy. He set records, like that blazing double ton in List A, showing his power-hitting side. As captain, he led Kerala to historic runs, like their first Ranji quarter-final. Sure, there were inconsistent patches, but his leadership grew stronger. In 2025, he’s still adding to his tally in leagues like KCL.
His domestic runs often knocked on India’s door, but competition kept him waiting. Highlights include partnerships that broke records and innings that turned games. As a keeper, he’s snagged crucial catches too.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 65 | 3834 | 39.12 | 10/16 |
| List A | 128 | 3487 | 33.85 | 3/19 |
| T20 (Domestic) | 102 | 2475 | 28.12 | 1/15 |
Additional Details: Highest FC: 211 vs Assam (2013-14); List A HS: 212* vs Goa (2019-20, fastest double ton by a keeper); T20 SR ~130; WK stats – FC: 120 catches/14 stumpings; List A: 132/17; T20: 60/10. Records: Youngest Kerala Ranji captain (20); led to first Ranji QF (2017-18, 627 runs); captained India A to 3-0 vs NZ A (2022).
Sanju Samson; Youth Cricket stats
Youth cricket was where Sanju first turned heads, piling on runs and leading teams. From school-level doubles to U-19 World Cup knocks, he showed star potential. Vice-captaining India to wins built his confidence for seniors.
These years were fun but fierce—he learned pressure handling early. A century in an Asia Cup final against Pakistan? That’s the stuff legends start with.
| Tournament | Year | Key Stats | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSCA Inter-State U-13 | 2007 | 973 runs in 5 matches, avg 108.11, 4 centuries | Player of the Tournament; captained Kerala |
| Vijay Merchant Trophy U-16 | 2008-09 | 200* off 138 vs Goa; 498 runs total (2nd highest for Kerala) | Helped reach knockouts |
| ACC U-19 Asia Cup | 2013 | Century in final vs Pakistan | Vice-captain; India won |
| U-19 World Cup | 2014 | 160 runs in 6 matches, avg 40; HS 85* vs PNG; 14 catches/2 stumpings | Vice-captain; India runners-up to South Africa |
Sanju Samson; International Cricket stats
Sanju’s international ride has been a rollercoaster—early debuts, long waits, then explosive comebacks. In 2024, he made history with three T20I tons, proving he’s a match-winner. No Tests yet, but his white-ball flair keeps him in mix. As of Aug 2025, he’s in Asia Cup squad, eyeing more glory.
Injuries and bench time tested him, but knocks like his ODI ton vs SA show resilience. He’s often a backup, but when he plays, fireworks happen.
| Debut | Format | Date | Opponent | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | T20I | July 19, 2015 | Zimbabwe | 19 runs; India won |
| ODI | ODI | July 23, 2021 | Sri Lanka | 46 runs in chase |
| Notable Milestones | T20I | Oct-Nov 2024 | BAN/SA | 1st Indian keeper with T20I century (107* vs BAN, Oct 13); back-to-back centuries (Nov 8 vs SA); 3rd in year (Nov 16 vs SA, record) |
Other: ODI HS 108 vs SA (2023); missed 2023 WC due to injury; in Asia Cup 2025 squad.
Sanju Samson ;IPL stats
IPL made Sanju a household name. Starting with RR in 2013, he’s their all-time top scorer and captain since 2021. Leading to 2022 final was huge, but 2025 was tough with injury. Retained at 18 cr for 2025, he’s key to RR’s plans.
From youngest IPL fifty to centuries, his growth is inspiring. Even in off seasons, his strike rate shines.
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Rajasthan Royals | 11 | 206 | 20.60 | 0/1 |
| 2014 | Rajasthan Royals | 13 | 339 | 26.07 | 0/2 |
| 2015 | Rajasthan Royals | 14 | 204 | 20.40 | 0/1 |
| 2016-2017 | Rajasthan Royals/Delhi (2016-17, RR banned 2016-17) | 14 (2017) | 386 | 27.57 | 1/2 |
| 2018 | Rajasthan Royals | 15 | 441 | 31.50 | 0/3 |
| 2019 | Rajasthan Royals | 12 | 342 | 34.20 | 0/3 |
| 2020 | Rajasthan Royals | 14 | 375 | 28.84 | 0/3 |
| 2021 | Rajasthan Royals | 14 | 484 | 40.33 | 1/2 |
| 2022 | Rajasthan Royals | 17 | 458 | 28.62 | 0/2 |
| 2023 | Rajasthan Royals | 14 | 362 | 30.16 | 0/3 |
| 2024 | Rajasthan Royals | 15 | 531 | 48.27 | 0/5 |
| 2025 | Rajasthan Royals | 13 | 276 | 25.09 | 1/1 (missed 5 due to injury; team 9th) |
Highlights: Youngest IPL 50 (2013); 1st century 102* vs SRH (2019); 119 vs PBKS (2021); led to final (2022); overall SR 139, 379 fours/219 sixes; WK: 90 catches/22 stumpings.
Sanju Samson ;Cricket Statistics
Sanju’s numbers tell a tale of potential unleashed. A batter first, keeper second, he’s got power (over 400 T20 sixes) and finesse. Minimal bowling. Up to Aug 2025, includes KCL blasts.
Records like fastest keeper double in List A highlight his range.
Sanju Samson ;International Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 0 | – | – | – |
| ODI | 16 | 510 | 56.66 | 1/3 |
| T20I | 42 | 861 | 25.32 | 3/4 |
Details: ODI HS 108 vs SA (SR 104, 49 fours/22 sixes); T20I HS 111* vs SA (SR 152, 73 fours/43 sixes); 5 ducks in T20I.
Sanju Samson; International Wicket-Keeping Stats
| Format | Matches | Catches | Stumpings | Dismissals/Inn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 16 | 9 | 2 | 0.68 |
| T20I | 42 | 23 | 8 | 0.73 |
Sanju Samson ;IPL Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 177 | 4704 | 30.95 | 3/26 |
Details: HS 119, SR 139, 379 fours/219 sixes, 11 ducks; WK: 90 catches/22 stumpings.
Sanju Samson ;T20 Overall Stats (Intl + IPL + Domestic)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 | 312 | 7875 | 29.71 | 7/45 |
Details: SR 136.5, HS 119, 600+ fours/400+ sixes.
Sanju Samson ;Domestic Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 65 | 3834 | 39.12 | 10/16 |
| List A | 128 | 3487 | 33.85 | 3/19 |
Details: FC HS 211 (SR 70); List A HS 212* (SR 90). Bowling: 1 List A wicket.
Sanju Samson ; wife
Sanju keeps things private, but his love story with Charulatha is straight out of a movie. They met in college, chatted on Facebook, and built a bond over years. No past relationships known—he’s all about family and cricket.
He loves music, travel, and supports Kerala Blasters FC. No kids yet—they’re focused on careers.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Wife | Charulatha Remesh (entrepreneur; B.Sc. Chemistry from Mar Ivanios College, M.A. HR from Loyola College) |
| Relationship Start | 2013; met in college, started via Facebook; dated 5 years |
| Marriage Date | December 22, 2018, in Kovalam, Kerala (Christian and Hindu rituals under Special Marriage Act) |
| Children | None known |
| Other Relationships | None publicly known |
Sanju Samson ; Net Worth and Assets
Sanju’s rise has brought wealth, mainly from IPL and brands. Estimates put him at 80-86 cr in 2025, up from endorsements like Puma. He splurges on cars but keeps it grounded with Kerala roots.
No bikes mentioned—he’s a car guy.
| Asset Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | INR 80-86 crore (USD ~10 million; from IPL 18 cr, BCCI Grade B 3 cr, endorsements 5-10 cr yearly) |
| Cars | 4: Audi A6 (~60 lakh), Mercedes Benz GLE (~1 cr), BMW 5 Series (~70 lakh), Range Rover Sport (~1.5 cr) |
| Bikes | None publicly known |
| Houses | Luxurious villa in Thiruvananthapuram (~5-10 cr); other investments |
| Other | Brand deals (Puma, Haeal); startup investments; annual income ~25-28 cr |
Sanju Samson ;Latest Controversies and News
Sanju stays clean mostly, but cricket drama finds him. From fines to selection debates, he’s handled it gracefully. In August 2025, he’s trending for KCL fireworks—42-ball ton, 13 off one ball (no-ball frenzy), another 89. Fans debate his Asia Cup role vs Gill.
His form screams “pick me”—could be his big breakout.
| Controversy/News | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IPL Slow Over-Rate Fine | April 2025 | Fined INR 24 lakh as RR captain vs Gujarat Titans (2nd offense) |
| Sreesanth Row | May 2025 | Sreesanth banned 3 years for false claims vs KCA and Samson’s father on selections |
| RR Trade Rumors | August 2025 | Tensions with management; possible release for 2026 auction amid Parag’s rise |
| Asia Cup Debate | August 2025 | In squad but bench risk vs Gill; experts question XI omission |
| KCL Exploits (Trending) | Aug 25-26, 2025 | 121 off 51 (42-ball 100) vs Kollam; 89 off 46 (13 off 1 ball) vs Thrissur; another 50+; with brother Saly; selector message |
Sanju Samson FAQ: One-Liner Answers
1. Who is Sanju Samson?
Indian cricketer, wicket-keeper batter, born 1994, captains RR and Kerala, debuted for India in 2015.
2. What are Sanju Samson’s career stats?
ODI: 16 matches, 510 runs, avg 56.66; T20I: 42 matches, 861 runs, avg 25.32; IPL: 177 matches, 4704 runs, avg 30.95.
3. Who is Sanju Samson’s wife?
Charulatha Remesh, entrepreneur, married in 2018.
4. How old is Sanju Samson?
31 (born November 11, 1994).
5. What’s the latest news on Sanju Samson?
Scored 42-ball 100 in KCL 2025; in Asia Cup squad; IPL 2026 trade rumors with CSK, KKR.
6. Will Sanju Samson play for CSK in IPL 2026?
No confirmation; CSK trade talks failed, may stay with RR or join KKR.
7. How did Sanju Samson perform in IPL 2025?
13 matches, 276 runs, avg 25.09, 1 century, 1 fifty for RR.
8. What is Sanju Samson’s sports career?
Kerala debut 2012, RR captain since 2021, India T20I/ODI player, 3 T20I centuries in 2024.
9. What are the Sanju Samson CSK trade rumors?
CSK interested for 2026, but RR demands rejected; KKR also in race.
10. What is Sanju Samson’s IPL journey?
RR since 2013, captain since 2021, 177 matches, 4704 runs, 3 centuries.
11. What is Sanju Samson’s cast or religion?
Malayali Christian.
12. Why was Sreesanth suspended for the Sanju Samson row?
Banned 3 years by KCA in May 2025 for false claims against Samson’s father.
13. What is Sanju Samson’s jersey number?
Number 9 for RR and India T20Is.
14. Is Sanju Samson joining Chennai Super Kings?
No confirmed move; CSK talks stalled, likely stays with RR.
Conclusion
Sanju Samson’s journey from a small village in Kerala to the global cricket stage is nothing short of inspiring. His elegant batting, sharp wicket-keeping, and leadership for Rajasthan Royals and Kerala show his immense talent and hard work. Overcoming early rejections and family sacrifices, he’s broken records, like scoring three T20I centuries in 2024, and continues to shine, as seen in his explosive 42-ball century in the 2025 Kerala Cricket League. Despite challenges like inconsistent India selections and recent IPL trade rumors, Samson’s resilience and fan love keep him trending. As he eyes a bigger role in the Asia Cup 2025 and beyond, his story reminds us that dreams, backed by grit, can conquer any odds. Sanju Samson is not just a cricketer—he’s a symbol of hope for aspiring athletes everywhere.