A teenage dream turned reality in Chennai: 19-year-old Canadian Yuvraj Samra smashed a stunning 110 off 65 balls against New Zealand, etching his name in T20 World Cup lore during his debut in the 2026 edition. At 19 years and 141 days, he became the youngest ever to score a half-century and century in the tournament, and the first from an associate team.
Samra’s masterclass featured 11 fours and 6 sixes, building Canada’s total to 173/4 through key stands – 116 runs with Dilpreet Bajwa in 13.6 overs and 22 with Navneet Dhaliwal in 22 balls. His calm demeanor under pressure drew comparisons to veterans.
Despite the Kiwi chase succeeding in 15.1 overs after an early wobble at 30/2 – thanks to Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips’ unbroken 146 off 72 balls – Samra’s performance captivated global audiences.
In a heartfelt interview, the star said, ‘Qualifying for the World Cup ignited this fire. I’ve felt this moment every day, dreaming of a century here. Doing it first up, as the youngest, is beyond words.’
His backstory adds romance: Father named him after idol Yuvraj Singh. ‘Feels unreal. So emotional right now. Yuvraj Singh inspired me growing up. This is for my dad watching from home.’
Samra’s innings signals a new era for associate nations in T20 cricket. With records tumbling and hearts won, Canada’s campaign gains momentum, powered by this young gun’s fearless strokeplay.