Sanju Samson

Position: WK-Batter

Born in Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on November 11, 1994, Sanju Viswanath Samson has established himself as the mainstay of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) with an incredible cricket career. As a proven captain and fashionable wicket-keeper batsman, he has been a standout player on and off the field this season.

Family Roots & Early Days

Sanju's father, Samson Viswanath, was a police constable with Delhi Police and a former football player who played for Delhi in the Santosh Trophy. He was born into a close-knit Christian Malayali family. Ligy Viswanath, his mother, is a dedicated housewife. Saly Samson, his older brother, is currently employed with the Advocate General's office and was a junior cricket player for Kerala.

Sanju started playing organized cricket at a very young age. In 2007, he captained Kerala's U-13 squad, hitting 973 runs at an average of 108.11 and blasting four hundreds in five games to win Player of the Tournament. He was the youngest player to win the Ranji Trophy for Kerala, having done it at the age of 14.

Youth & Domestic Rise

With a Ranji century in 2012–13, 530 runs in the 2013–14 Ranji season, and a finishing position as Kerala’s top scorer, he rose to prominence in domestic cricket quickly. At the age of 20, he was elected as Kerala's youngest Ranji captain for the 2015–16 season.

Early international experiences included a century in the U-19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan and serving as vice-captain of India's U-19 team in Australia. In July 2015, he made his India T20 debut.

Personal Life: Wife, Kids & Siblings

Sanju has led a largely secluded personal life. On December 22, 2018, he wed Charulatha Remesh, a classmate from college. Born into a Hindu Nair family, Charulatha is the daughter of B. She has a post-graduate degree in human resources and a degree in chemistry. Chief news editor Remesh Kumar and LIC's Rajasree Remesh. Megha Raiphi is her sister as well. There is currently no information available to the public regarding their son or daughter.

Saly, his only sibling, is married and employed by the police, although little is known about him.

IPL Journey & Rise with Rajasthan Royals

Sanju joined the IPL in 2012 with the Kolkata Knight Riders, however he didn't play in any games. In 2013, he transferred to the Rajasthan Royals. He made his breakthrough right away, scoring 63 in his second game, becoming the youngest IPL player to reach fifty, and winning the 2013 Emerging Player award.

He joined the Delhi Daredevils (now the Capitals) when RR was banned in 2016, and in 2017 he scored his first IPL century. He rejoined RR in 2018 and soon established himself as a key figure. His 531 runs in the 2024 IPL demonstrated his maturity and reliability.

Captaincy & Role in RR (2025 Season)

Since 2021, Samson has led the Rajasthan Royals as captain. His leadership is a combination of cool planning and aggressive intent; he highlights international players like Jos Buttler around a core of Indian promise while nurturing emerging prospects like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. Known as RR's "heart and soul," his leadership this season has strengthened the team's culture and spirit of competition.

Beyond the Field

In addition to playing cricket, Sanju is a manager with Bharat Petroleum in Thiruvananthapuram, or has been. He established the Six Guns Sports Academy in Thiruvananthapuram in 2018 to train future football and cricket players. He was a state election icon prior to the Kerala Assembly elections in 2021. His most recent role as brand ambassador for Kerala Blasters FC, which reflected his cross-sport personality, was in February 2023.

Why He’s the Face of Royals

Sanju Samson's leadership, bravery, and grace perfectly capture the essence of the Rajasthan Royals. He personifies RR's brand identity as a prodigy who produces innings of pure brilliance and as an experienced skipper who builds a competitive, youth-focused squad. He is focused, grounded, and constantly aspirational, supported by a committed wife and family.

Sanju’s Inspiring Rise

The journey of Sanju Samson's ascent from coastal villages in Kerala to IPL fame and RR leadership is one of unwavering talent, tenacity, and vision. With Charulatha at his side and strong family support, Samson is not only leading the Royals but also evolving into what the team represents as he continues to play as captain and a key batsman.

Also Read: Shubham Dubey