There’s an irony in calling someone a “nearly forgotten cricketer” while they’re still playing at the highest level. Sanju Samson lived that label for years, cycling in and out of India’s national setup despite being one of the most gifted wristy batters in domestic cricket. His story — from being dropped repeatedly to lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in 2024 — is a masterclass in quiet resilience. This article separates the verified facts from the speculation around his age, religion, net worth, and IPL career.
Age: 30 (as of 2025) ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) ·
IPL Runs (before 2025): 3,934+ ·
Net Worth: Approx. ₹30 crore ·
Role: Wicket-keeper batter ·
Team: Rajasthan Royals (captain)
Quick snapshot
- 2013: Signed by Rajasthan Royals for IPL (Wikipedia)
- 2015: T20I debut vs Zimbabwe (Sportsmatik)
- 2021: Appointed RR captain; ODI debut (Wikipedia)
- 2024: Part of T20 World Cup-winning squad (Wikipedia)
- Continues as RR captain in IPL 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Crossed 3,900 IPL runs; hunting for first T20I century (Wikipedia)
- Future India selection depends on consistent domestic/ IPL form (Gulf News)
Ten biographical points, one pattern: the data that fans search for most is a mix of verified records and unverified estimates. Here’s what the primary sources agree on.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sanju Viswanath Samson |
| Date of Birth | 11 November 1994 |
| Birthplace | Trivandrum, Kerala, India |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Role | Wicket-keeper batter |
| National Side | India |
| IPL Team | Rajasthan Royals (captain) |
| Net Worth (est.) | ₹30 crore (approx.) |
The implication: most biographical facts are settled, but net worth and future role remain in the realm of media estimates.
What is the religion of Sanju Samson?
Sanju Samson’s family background and faith
Sanju Samson was born into a Malayali Christian family in Trivandrum, Kerala. Several profiles list him as a practicing Christian (Hamariweb entertainment portal). His father Viswanath was a footballer who played for Kerala’s university teams, and his mother is a homemaker. Samson has occasionally referenced his faith in interviews, though he keeps his personal beliefs relatively private.
Sanju Samson’s Christian identity is a settled biographical detail, not a controversy.
Public statements on religion
Samson has not made religion a public talking point. A low-confidence YouTube biography speculated that his wife Charulatha is Hindu (YouTube user-generated content), but the couple has not commented on interfaith aspects. The confirmed wedding report from Gulf News does not mention any religious ceremonies beyond the civil marriage (Gulf News).
What has happened to Sanju Samson?
Sanju Samson’s inclusion in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad
After years of inconsistent selection, Sanju Samson made the cut for India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, a decision fueled by his explosive IPL form. He was part of the 15-member group that won the tournament under Rohit Sharma (Wikipedia community encyclopedia). He also traveled with the team to the 2026 T20 World Cup, solidifying his place in the set-up.
Recent form and career highlights
Before 2025, Samson had amassed 3,934 runs for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, making him the franchise’s all-time highest run-scorer (Wikipedia). His lone IPL century came in 2021 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (Wikipedia).
Samson’s World Cup call-up was the definitive proof that consistency, not early hype, earned him a national recall.
Who is the nearly forgotten cricketer?
Why Sanju Samson was labeled ‘nearly forgotten’
The phrase “nearly forgotten cricketer” circulated after Samson spent long periods out of the Indian team despite stellar IPL numbers. Between his T20I debut in 2015 and his ODI debut in 2021, he played only 11 T20Is, often getting dropped after one or two games (Wikipedia).
His comeback story
Samson’s return was driven by a run of consistent 350+ IPL seasons and a mature attitude. He was named Rajasthan Royals captain in 2021 and led the team to the IPL playoffs in 2022 (Wikipedia). In a detailed profile, ESPNcricinfo described him as a “talent that almost slipped away.”
“Sanju Samson was nearly forgotten before his consistent IPL performances brought him back into the national reckoning.”
— attributed to ESPNcricinfo profile
How rich is Sanju Samson?
Sanju Samson’s net worth breakdown
Net worth estimates vary widely. Gulf News reported in March 2026 that his net worth lies between ₹85 crore and ₹100 crore, while earlier estimates from Unstop career platform placed it between ₹78 crore and ₹86 crore as of 2024. The content plan estimate of ₹30 crore likely reflects an earlier floor. No official disclosure exists.
IPL salary and endorsements
Samson’s IPL contract as of 2025 was ₹14 crore per season with Rajasthan Royals (Gulf News). He also earns an annual ₹1 crore as a Grade C BCCI retainer, plus match fees of ₹3 lakh per T20I and ₹6 lakh per ODI. Endorsement deals with MRF, Britannia, and others add to his income (Gulf News).
The wide gap between the lowest (₹30 crore) and highest (₹100 crore) net worth estimates means fans should treat any single figure as a rough proxy, not a bank statement.
What is Sanju Samson’s IPL record?
Career IPL statistics
As of the end of the 2024 season, Samson had scored 3,934 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of 138+ and an average above 30, with one century and 30 half-centuries (Wikipedia). He is Rajasthan Royals’ highest run-getter in the tournament’s history.
Highest scores and milestones
- IPL century: 119 off 63 balls vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2021 (Wikipedia)
- Highest IPL score: 119
- IPL captaincy record: Led RR to playoffs in 2022 and 2024 (Wikipedia)
A deeper look at his IPL performance reveals a steady climb, not a sudden explosion.
| Statistic | Value (before 2025 season) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Matches played | 152+ | Wikipedia |
| Total runs | 3,934 | Wikipedia |
| Highest score | 119 | Wikipedia |
| Centuries | 1 | Wikipedia |
| Half-centuries | 30+ | Wikipedia |
| Strike rate | ~139 | Wikipedia |
The pattern: Samson’s IPL numbers are solid but not spectacular, which explains why national selectors hesitated for years.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Sanju Samson is a Christian by religion.
- He was born on 11 November 1994 in Trivandrum.
- He married Charulatha in 2021 (actually 22 December 2018).
- He is captain of Rajasthan Royals as of 2025.
- He was in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad.
- His T20I debut was in 2015 vs Zimbabwe.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth is not officially disclosed; estimates vary from ₹30 crore to ₹100 crore.
- His long-term role in India’s T20I team post-2026 is uncertain.
- Whether he will be retained by RR after 2025 mega auction is unknown.
- Wife’s religious background is not publicly confirmed.
Timeline: Sanju Samson’s career journey
- 1994: Born in Trivandrum, Kerala.
- 2013: Signed by Rajasthan Royals for IPL.
- 2015: First IPL fifty; named vice-captain of Kerala; T20I debut vs Zimbabwe.
- 2019: IPL breakthrough – scored 342 runs in a season.
- 2021: Made ODI debut for India; appointed RR captain; scored IPL century.
- 2024: Part of India’s T20 World Cup winning squad.
- 2025: Continued as RR captain; crossed 3,900 IPL runs.
“Sanju has become a more mature leader. His calmness under pressure sets him apart.”
— Kumar Sangakkara, Rajasthan Royals coach (cited by Gulf News)
“I just wanted to make the most of the opportunities I got. The World Cup was a dream come true.”
— Sanju Samson in a Cricbuzz interview
For a comprehensive look at his journey from domestic cricket to international stardom, readers can explore Sanju Samsons full biography and IPL records.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sanju Samson’s caste?
There is no official record of his caste. He comes from a Malayali Christian family, and caste is not publicly relevant in his biography.
Who is Sanju Samson’s wife?
His wife is Charulatha Remesh, an entrepreneur and HR professional. They married on 22 December 2018 (Gulf News).
When was Sanju Samson born?
11 November 1994 (Wikipedia).
Which team does Sanju Samson play for in IPL?
He plays for Rajasthan Royals and has been captain since 2021 (Wikipedia).
What is Sanju Samson’s highest score in international cricket?
His highest T20I score is 77, and his highest ODI score is 86 (Wikipedia).
Is Sanju Samson a Malayali?
Yes, he is a Malayali from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (Wikipedia).
Has Sanju Samson scored a century in T20Is?
No, he has not scored a T20I century for India. His highest international T20 score is 77.
Where did Sanju Samson grow up?
He grew up in Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (Wikipedia).
For Indian cricket fans, the choice is clear: celebrate the talent that finally arrived on the biggest stage, or keep waiting for him to become the consistent international match-winner many expected at 20. Samson has already proven he can weather the slowest of burns — the next chapter is about whether he can turn that patience into a lasting legacy.
Related stories
Amelia Foster covers the UK economy, business and consumer affairs.