There is a new North Star in the world of cricket and it is shining brightly from the Great White North. On a humid Tuesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the story 2026 T20 World Cup went from traditional powerhouses to 19-year-old sensation Canada.
Yuvraj Singh Samra he just didn’t hit a century; he rewrote the record books, dismantled a world-class bowling attack and announced his arrival on the grandest stage of Associate cricket of all. As he fell double shy of his 58th birthday, the Chepauk crowd, traditionally one of the most knowledgeable in the world, rose to their feet to welcome the youngest centurion in T20 Men’s World Cup history.
Who is Yuvraj Samra? Know interesting facts about the youngest T20 World Cup centurion
1. The story behind the name
name “Yuvraj Singh” carries a heavy weight in cricket, evoking memories of sixes and fearless dominance. For Yuvraj Samra, the name was a mandate from birth. His father, Baljit SamraA die-hard fan of the Indian legend, he insisted on the name long before his son ever picked up a bat. Growing up in the booming cricketing heartlands of Ontario, Yuvraj realized at about the age of 12 that he was not just named after a cricketer, but a legacy.
“My dad was there, my dad told him (about the name). He said it was great, he was just laughing. I don’t remember when, it was when he was playing in the Toronto Nationals (in 2019). I met him now when the Super 60 started, last year, 2025. He really wanted me the way I hit the ball. But I always say I want to be the version of myself.” Yuvraj told ESPNCricinfo in an interview.
2. Early career and domestic success
Samra’s journey through the Canadian domestic circuit has been nothing short of meteoric. Standing tall with a left-handed stance that reflected the elegance of the whole, he became a fixture of the sport. Global T20 Canadian Leaguewhere he often outperformed international superstars. His domestic success has been built on clean shooting and an uncanny ability to find gaps on the power play. Unlike many young power-hitters who struggle with the transition to the longer formats, Samra has shown character beyond his years, leading the charts. ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League.
3. Unique similarity between Yuvrajs
What makes Samra unique is her “minimalist” approach to the crease. While he doesn’t rely on extreme footwork, Yuvraj’s exceptional bat swing, which he believes watches his vintage moments for hours, allows him to generate massive power. That combination of natural timing and brute strength made him a cornerstone of Canada’s qualifying campaign, where he emerged as the front-runner, heralding the moment that would unfold in Chennai.
Also READ: Top 5 youngest centurions in T20 World Cup history ft. Yuvraj Samra
Samra’s explosive century destroys New Zealand bowling line-up in T20 World Cup 2026
When Canada took on New Zealand, few expected a historic massacre. The Black Caps were certainly shorthand with the captain Mitchell Santner sidelined with food poisoning and Lockie Ferguson, who is on paternity leave. But he likes a bowling attack Matt Henry and Job Sodhi never the B team.
While being his opening partner Dilpreet Bajwa He struggled to find his rhythm on the calm but slowing Chepauk surface, while Samra seemed to be on a completely different pitch. He aimed the arc between long and mid wicket with surgical precision. As the New Zealand spinners tried to pull the length back, Samra showed his ‘OG’ effect, leaning back to lift them over extra cover with a high elbow cover that would have made his name proud.
The main feature of this shot was Samra’s preparation and intention. Despite Chennai’s grueling heat, his batting spin remained elite. He reached his fifty in just 26 balls, but it was the second half of his innings that showed his maturity. He didn’t slip; navigated. The pressure mounted as the 15,000-strong crowd began to realize they were witnessing history, but Samra remained ice cold.
The moment of victory came in the penultimate stage. A flick to deep mid-wicket for two runs brought the stage up. At 19, he surpassed the previous record for the youngest T20 World Cup centurion, a benchmark for the game’s brightest prodigies.
“I manifested it. Every day I dreamed of scoring a hundred goals on this stage. To do this in my first appearance…it’s truly a dream come true,” he told the broadcasters, his voice thick with emotion.
For Canada, Samra is more than just a talented key; he is the face of the new age. For the rest of the world, it is a reminder that talent knows no boundaries. As the 2026 T20 World Cup progressed, the lens changed.
