Canada's Yuvraj Samra has just delivered one of the defining moments of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The 19-year-old opener stunned New Zealand in Chennai
with a fearless century, becoming the first player from an Associate nation to score a hundred in T20 World Cup history, and the youngest ever to do so.
In a tournament increasingly shaped by emerging cricket nations, Samra's innings was more than a milestone. It was a statement.
Youngest Centurion In T20 World Cup History
At 19 years and 141 days, Samra broke Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad's long-standing record to become the youngest centurion in tournament history.
He smashed 110 off 65 balls, reaching his hundred in just 58 deliveries, finishing with 11 fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 169.23.
It was only his 19th T20I appearance, and his maiden international century.
Early Life: Brampton Roots And An Indian Connection
Born on 29 September 2006 in Brampton, Ontario, Samra was introduced to cricket by his father, Baljit Singh, who emigrated from India.
Named after Indian great Yuvraj Singh, Samra grew up watching and studying the left-hander's strokeplay. His father even witnessed Yuvraj Singh's iconic 12-ball fifty in 2007.
Samra has since said he wants to be "his own version" rather than a replica and that individuality is already showing.
First Associate Nation Player To Score A T20 World Cup Hundred
No player from an Associate nation had ever scored a century in a Men's T20 World Cup before. Samra changed that.
His knock powered Canada to a competitive 173 against a seasoned New Zealand attack, reinforcing the growing competitiveness of Associate teams on cricket's biggest stage.
Domestic Rise And International Debut
Samra progressed through Canadian leagues including the Toronto District Cricket Association (TDCA) and the Brampton & Etobicoke District Cricket League (BEDCL).
He made:
- His List A debut in February 2025
- His ODI debut in March 2025 against the Netherlands
- His T20I debut later that month against Namibia
Before this World Cup, he had already set records: including the fastest T20I half-century by a Canadian (15 balls) during the Americas qualifiers.
At 19, Samra has positioned himself as one of the faces of cricket's next global wave.
And if this World Cup is about shifting power dynamics, Yuvraj Samra just ensured Canada is part of that conversation.
