In a moment that will be etched in cricket history, 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra from Canada delivered a breathtaking century against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Playing his debut match on the grandest stage, the young prodigy smashed 110 runs off just 58 balls, becoming the youngest player ever to score a hundred in the tournament at 19 years and 141 days.
Samra’s innings wasn’t just about the runs; it showcased maturity beyond his years. He laced his knock with 11 fours and 6 sixes, forging crucial partnerships that propelled Canada to 173 for 4. A 116-run stand with Dilpreet Bajwa off 13.6 overs set the tone, followed by a quick 22-run alliance with Navneet Dhaliwal.
Reflecting on this dream debut, Samra shared, ‘Ever since we qualified for the World Cup, I’ve been living this moment in my dreams. Every day, I visualized scoring a century here. Achieving it as the youngest player in this tournament feels surreal.’
Though New Zealand chased down the target in 15.1 overs, powered by Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 146-run partnership, Samra stole the spotlight. His father, a die-hard fan of Indian legend Yuvraj Singh, named him after the icon, whom the youngster idolizes.
‘I feel incredible playing this innings. So many emotions are swirling inside me. Yuvraj Singh is someone I’ve admired since childhood. This knock is dedicated to my dad, who I wish could have been here watching,’ Samra added.
Samra’s feat marks the first T20 World Cup century by an associate nation player, signaling the rise of new talents from smaller cricketing nations. As Canada continues their campaign, all eyes remain on this teenage sensation who has arrived with a bang.