Sanju Samson: The Rise of India’s Dynamic Wicketkeeper-Batsman
**Let's Begin**
Sanju Samson is one of the most gifted and intriguing cricketers in India today. Known for his beautiful stroke play, explosive batting, and nimble wicketkeeping, Samson has been a major player for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has also represented India in limited-overs cricket.
Despite his evident brilliance, his career has been a rollercoaster—filled with magnificent performances, sad omissions, and unforgettable moments. In this blog, we’ll explore:
- His experience in cricket - His involvement in Rajasthan Royals - The composition of the squad (number of players, important stars)
- **5 most memorable & surprising moments** from his career
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## **Sanju Samson’s Cricket Journey** Born on **November 11, 1994**, in **Kerala**, Sanju Samson made his first-class debut at barely **17**. His rise was rapid—he shined in domestic cricket, received an IPL contract, and soon became a household name.
### **Key Career Highlights:** - **2013:** Debuted for Rajasthan Royals under Rahul Dravid’s mentorship - **2015:** Youngest captain in **Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy** history (aged 20) - **2021:** Appointed **captain of Rajasthan Royals** in IPL - **2022:** Led RR to IPL final after 14 years - **2023:** Scored his **first T20I fifty for India** against Sri Lanka
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## **Sanju Samson & Rajasthan Royals (RR): A Love Story**
Rajasthan Royals (RR) is one of the original eight IPL clubs, recognized for cultivating fresh talent. The team has **25 players** in its 2024 squad, including: - **Batters:** Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer
- **All-rounders:** Riyan Parag, Rovman Powell - **Bowlers:** Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna - **Wicketkeepers:** Sanju Samson (captain), Dhruv Jurel
Samson has been RR’s backbone since 2013, rising from a juvenile prodigy to a leader. Under his captaincy, RR reached the **2022 IPL final**, displaying his tactical progress.
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5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments in Sanju Samson’s Career
### **1. IPL 2017: Fastest Fifty of the Season (14 Balls) – A Blistering Knock**
In a match against **Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)**, Samson blasted a **14-ball fifty**, the quickest in IPL 2017. His **102 off 63 balls** went in vain as RR lost, but his daring batting astonished everyone.
**Why Shocking?** Despite the century, RR fell, illustrating cricket’s brutal unpredictability.
### **2. IPL 2020: Back-to-Back Centuries – Then a Sudden Drop in Form** Samson opened **IPL 2020** with a **74-ball 85** against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). But in the very following match, he struck a **42-ball 102** against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
**Why Shocking?** After these exploits, he experienced a **massive slump**, scoring just **82 runs in the next 7 matches**, raising worries about his consistency.
### **3. IPL 2021: The Controversial Run-Out vs PBKS – A Heartbreaking Exit**
In a must-win game, Samson was hitting wonderfully (48 off 33). But a **miscommunication with Chris Morris** led to a **freak run-out**, losing RR the match.
**Why Shocking?** The dismissal was bizarre—Samson was outraged, and supporters blamed Morris for the gaffe.
### **4. IPL 2022: Leading RR to the Final After 14 Years** As captain, Samson guided RR to their **first IPL final since 2008**. His leadership, bold field placements, and clutch performances (like his **47 off 26 balls versus RCB in Qualifier 2**) were vital.
**Why Memorable?** Despite losing to GT in the final, Samson demonstrated he could manage pressure as a leader.
### **5. India Snubs & Comebacks: The Yo-Yo Test Controversy (2018)** Samson was **dropped from India’s T20 squad in 2018** after failing the **Yo-Yo fitness test**. This spurred debates—was India ignoring pure talent for fitness metrics?
**Why Shocking?** He returned stronger, confirming his fitness, but the event underlined the severe standards in Indian cricket.
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## **Conclusion: Will Sanju Samson Fulfill His Potential?**
Sanju Samson is one of India’s most exciting yet inconsistent players. His talent to play match-winning knocks is apparent, but his battle for consistency leaves fans and selectors split.
With the **2024 T20 World Cup** coming, will he finally solidify his position in Team India? Only time will tell.
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