At just 19, Yuvraj Samra made a stunning debut with a remarkable 110, propelling Canada to 173/4 against New Zealand at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday.
In his first T20 World Cup appearance,
the teenager displayed maturity beyond his years, blending elegance with authority in a 58-ball century that set new records. At 19 years and 141 days, he became the youngest player to score a fifty in T20 World Cup history and went on to record the first hundred by a player from an Associate nation in the tournament. Additionally, his 110-run innings was the highest individual score for Associate teams in T20 World Cups.
Reflecting on his achievement, Samra told broadcasters after the first innings, “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.”
Canada’s innings began cautiously against the new-ball pair of Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, but Samra quickly found his rhythm. He pierced gaps with precision and launched an 87-metre six to signal his intent, while captain Dilpreet Bajwa provided steady support. The duo compiled a 116-run opening stand, the highest by an Associate team against a Full Member in T20 World Cup history, laying the foundation for a formidable total.
Surpassing His Namesake And Idol
Samra’s century, studded with 11 fours and six sixes, also carried emotional significance. Named after Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh, he surpassed his idol’s highest T20 World Cup score in the process.
“It feels incredible. There are so many emotions right now, I can’t really put them into words. Yuvraj Singh is someone I’ve looked up to since I was a kid, so to even be mentioned in the same breath is special. I just wish my dad was here today watching me from back home – this one’s for him,” he said.
Samra also provided a measured assessment of the Chennai pitch. “The wicket was a bit slow and the ball was sticking slightly. I felt it was important to pick the right deliveries to attack and not force shots. Once I got set, I focused on timing rather than power. I think bowling into the pitch and mixing the pace will be key on this surface – it’s not the easiest track for free-flowing strokeplay, so you’ve got to adapt,” he explained.
Despite late strikes from Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson, quick contributions from Harsh Thaker and Dilon Heyliger ensured Canada finished strongly, setting up an exciting contest under the Chennai lights.
(With inputs from Agencies)
