Sanju Samson walks off after losing his wicket during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, March 8, 2026.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is an Indian cricketer who plays for India in ODIs and T20Is. He is a wicketkeeper-batter and plays for Kerala in domestic cricket and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squads in 2024 and 2026. In the 2026 tournament, he was named Player of the Tournament for his performances.
Samson was born on 11 November 1994 in Pulluvila, a village near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. His father was a Delhi Police constable and also played football at state level for Delhi. His elder brother also played junior cricket for Kerala. He completed a BA in English Literature from Mar Ivanios College.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sanju Samson
Grew Up in a Delhi Police Colony
Sanju is called Kerala’s own, but he spent much of his childhood in Delhi’s GTB Nagar police colony. His father was a Delhi Police constable and a former Santosh Trophy footballer. That unique upbringing, away from Kerala, gave him a grounded, tough mindset from an early age.
Father Retired Early for His Cricket
When 13-year-old Sanju failed to make Delhi’s Under-13 team, his father took voluntary retirement from the Delhi Police after nearly 20 years. The family moved back to Kerala for a fresh start. That one sacrifice changed everything. No job security, just pure belief in his son’s talent.
Grandfather Was a Fisherman Who Taught Life Lessons
Sanju’s maternal grandfather Anthonis is a fisherman from Vizhinjam village. He told young Sanju, “Waves are like us – sometimes happy, sometimes angry. That’s life.” Years later, when Sanju got out for a duck, he calmly said even Sachin Tendulkar gets out for zero.
Why Fans Call Him ‘Chetta’
Fans lovingly call Sanju “Chetta”, the Malayalam word for elder brother. He says it brings responsibility while representing Kerala. But during IPL 2026, after a match-winning 87 for CSK, he smiled and said, “Yeah, they call me Chetta, but I like Sanju more.” Down to earth.
Different Jersey Numbers for India and IPL
Sanju wears No. 9 for India in international cricket. But in the IPL, he has always worn No. 11 – even after his record-breaking trade to Chennai Super Kings in 2026. Two different numbers for two different stages. Just a small, curious detail about his career.
Scored Nearly 1,000 Runs as Under-13 Captain
Sanju was a child prodigy. After being named captain of Kerala’s Under-13 side, he scored almost 1,000 runs in a single tournament, including a double century. He quickly climbed from age-group cricket to the Ranji Trophy. Talent was never the question.
Holds a B.A. in English Literature
Sanju didn’t ignore studies. After schooling in Delhi and Kerala, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram. He values education alongside cricket. Not many top cricketers can say they have a degree in literature.
Can Play Piano and Guitar
Cricket isn’t his only art. Sanju is genuinely musical – he can play both piano and guitar, and he sings too. His timing with the bat matches his rhythm on the keys. A hidden talent that shows there’s more to him than just cover drives and sixes.
A Facebook Friend Request That Led to Love
Sanju’s love story with wife Charulatha Remesh started with a bold Facebook friend request from him when he was a domestic cricketer. They met at Mar Ivanios College, kept things private for years, and married on December 22, 2018, in Kovalam. He calls her his “beautiful impact player.”
Once Wanted to Be an IPS Officer
Before Brendon McCullum’s 2008 IPL innings changed his mind, young Sanju dreamed of becoming a civil servant – specifically an IPS officer. He carried school books to cricket practice, keeping academics alive. Eventually, he chose cricket fully. That decision led to World Cup glory.
FAQs
Q. Which teams does Sanju Samson play for?
A. Sanju Samson plays for Kerala in domestic cricket. He plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
Q. What special award did Samson win in 2026?
A. Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Q. Where was Sanju Samson born?
A. Sanju Samson was born in Pulluvila near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
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