Sanju Samson, a prominent Indian cricketer, played a pivotal role in India's 2026 T20 World Cup victory and continues to excel in the IPL.
Sanju Samson's origins trace back to a coastal village in Kerala, located in southern India. He was born in Pulluvila, a small township near Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, which serves as his hometown. Though a major portion of his early years was spent in Delhi—where his father, Samson Viswanath, served as a police officer—his eventual return to Kerala marked a turning point in his professional cricket career. Sanju Samson follows the Catholic Christian faith, a significant and well-known Christian sect within his native state of Kerala. Coming from a Malayali Christian family in the seaside village of Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram district, his religious background aligns with the Latin Catholic tradition, a distinct subgroup within Kerala’s varied Christian communities. Throughout his life and career, Sanju has maintained a strong connection to his cultural and religious heritage, and his nationality remains Indian. Even with his intense focus on sports from childhood, Sanju Samson successfully completed his education. He began his schooling at Rosary Senior Secondary School in Delhi before transferring to St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School. For his undergraduate studies, he enrolled at Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Sanju Samson’s cricketing career is adorned with numerous awards and accomplishments that highlight his significant contributions to the sport. He was awarded the Player of the Tournament during India’s triumphant 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, having scored 321 runs. This outstanding performance also earned him the ICC Men’s Player of the Month accolade. In the IPL, he secured the Emerging Player of the Year award in 2013 when he was just 19 years old. As of the year 2026, Sanju Samson is 31 years old. His birthday is observed annually on November 11. Sanju Samson wears the jersey number 9 for both the Indian national team and the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He is a follower of Christianity, specifically the Latin Catholic denomination. His full name is Sanju Viswanath Samson. Sanju Samson is an Indian citizen, holding Indian nationality. All images included are for editorial use only and are licensed exclusively through Getty/Source.