Who is Yuvraj Samra? Meet Canada’s 19-yr-old left-hander who hammered a 55-ball ton against NZ and is named after Yuvraj Singh

Nineteen-year-old Yuvraj Samra grabbed global attention after smashing a fearless 55-ball century for Canada against New Zealand in a must-win T20 World Cup clash. The left-handed opener’s explosive knock not only powered Canada to a strong total but also made him the youngest batter from associate nations to score a hundred in the tournament’s history. Named after India’s World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, the teenager is now one of the most talked-about young cricketers in international T20 cricket.

Who is Yuvraj Samra: A teenage star with Indian roots

Yuvraj Samra was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, to a Punjabi-origin family. His father, Baljit Singh, moved to Canada from India and introduced him to cricket at an early age. The family named him after former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, a player he grew up watching and admiring.

Samra’s aggressive strokeplay and ability to clear the ropes have often drawn comparisons with his namesake, especially after his latest match-winning performance on the world stage.

Yuvraj Samra's early journey through Canadian cricket

Samra’s cricket journey began in local leagues in the Greater Toronto area. He trained and played in competitions such as the Toronto District Cricket Association and the Brampton & Etobicoke District Cricket League.

His consistent performances in youth and domestic tournaments quickly pushed him into Canada’s national setup. He made his international debut in 2025 and soon cemented his place as a top-order batter in both ODIs and T20Is.

Yuvraj Samra's record-breaking knock against New Zealand

Samra’s innings against New Zealand turned him into a global headline-maker. He attacked from the start, taking on experienced bowlers and dominating the powerplay.

He reached his half-century in quick time and then accelerated further to complete his century in just 55 balls. His innings included clean hitting, smart placement and fearless intent, helping Canada post a competitive total in a high-pressure match.

The knock also came against a New Zealand side missing key bowlers, but Samra made full use of the opportunity and punished anything loose.

What makes Yuvraj Samra special

One of the youngest players in the current T20 World Cup

• Youngest centurion in T20 World Cup history
• Left-handed top-order batter known for aggressive strokeplay

At just 19, Samra represents the new generation of Associate nation cricketers who are making an impact on the global stage.