Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Feb 17: At just 19, Canada’s opener Yuvraj Singh Samra etched his name in T20 World Cup history by becoming the youngest player to score a century in the tournament. The record-breaking knock came at the Chepauk Stadium, where a crowd of around 15,000 gave him a thunderous standing ovation as he celebrated with his bat pointed towards the dressing room and arms raised high.
Speaking to broadcasters after his innings, Samra said, “Honestly, I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup. Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage. To do it here, in my first appearance, and as the youngest player in this World Cup – it’s truly a dream come true.”
Samra, named after the legendary Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh by his father Baljit Samra, discovered the story around the age of 11 or 12. “My dad was a really big Yuvraj Singh fan. He told my mom if it was a boy, he wanted to name him Yuvraj no matter what. And he did,” Samra shared with Cricket Canada.
Like his namesake, Samra is tall, bats left-handed, and enjoys sending the ball over the ropes. “He is my idol. I love the way he bats and he has inspired me a lot. I like to see the ball travel the distance off my bat. I really love the sound off the bat when it connects well,” he said. Reflecting on the emotional moment, Samra added, “There are so many emotions right now, I can’t really put them into words. I just wish my dad was here today watching me – this one’s for him.”
On Tuesday at Chepauk, Samra dominated the innings while his opening partner Dilpreet Bajwa struggled to gain momentum. With New Zealand missing key players – captain Mitchell Santner due to food poisoning and Lockie Ferguson on paternity leave – Samra seized the opportunity and set the tone on a placid pitch, announcing himself on the global T20 stage.
This performance not only marks a personal milestone for the young Canadian cricketer but also signals the rise of new talent making waves in the Men’s T20 World Cup.