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Sanju Samson's First IPL Win Came Under Gambhir's KKR In Most Unexpected Way

Soumyajit Dutta

Sanju Samson and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @shyama_haran/X.com]Sanju Samson and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @shyama_haran/X.com]

In the glittering world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where heroes are made through explosive performances and match-winning knocks, Sanju Samson’s first taste of championship glory came in the most unconventional way possible, without playing a single match. 

Long before he became the face of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), and even before his official IPL debut in 2013, Samson was an unnoticed member of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad that lifted the trophy in 2012. It’s a little-known chapter in his career, one that makes his journey to stardom even more fascinating.

Samson's Quiet Yet Glorious Trophy-Winning Memory

Back in 2012, IPL rules allowed franchises to sign uncapped players outside the auction, and KKR quietly picked up a 17-year-old Samson as a developmental prospect outside the auction. The Kerala teenager, then an emerging talent from the U-19 circuit, spent the entire season on the bench, watching legends like Gautam Gambhir, Jacques Kallis and Brendon McCullum steer KKR to their maiden title. 

While he didn’t get a game, being part of a winning camp exposed him to high-pressure environments and elite professionalism, which was indeed an invaluable experience for a young cricketer.

Meanwhile, KKR’s 2012 campaign was historic. They dethroned the mighty Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a thrilling final, with Manvinder Bisla’s heroic 89 stealing the show in a 191-run chase. Samson, though not involved on the field, absorbed the winning culture that would later shape his career.

From Benchwarmer to Rajasthan Royals’ Cornerstone

The following year of the KKR win, Sanju Samson moved to Rajasthan Royals, where his talent finally got the spotlight it deserved. RR, known for nurturing young players, saw his potential and gave him his debut in 2013. Over the next decade, he evolved from a promising rookie to RR’s captain and most iconic player.

Yet, that 2012 KKR medal remains a unique trivia in his career, a title won not with bat or gloves, but through sheer presence in a champion squad. For Samson, it was the quiet beginning of an IPL journey that would later see him emerge as one of the league’s most beloved stars.