WATCH: Yuvraj Singh-inspired Canada opener creates HISTORY, become first-ever from nation to…

New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026: Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra is only 19 years of age and was named after famous Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh by his cricket-crazy father. On Tuesday, Yuvraj Samra achieved what even Yuvraj Singh couldn’t do in T20 World Cup – score a century. Yuvraj Samra became the first-ever batter from Canada to smash a century in T20 World Cup, clobbering a six-filled 100 off 58 balls against New Zealand in their Group D match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

In the process, Samra became the youngest-ever centurion in the history of T20 World Cup, breaking the record of Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad, who had scored a century at the age of 22 years and 127 days against Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup match in Mirpur. Suresh Raina is the youngest centurion from India at the age of 23 years and 156 days against South Africa in 2010 T20 World Cup.

WATCH Yuvraj Samra smashes New Zealand bowlers in T20 World Cup 2026 match…

Samra smashed 6 sixes and 10 fours in his maiden T20I century and put on a record 116 runs for the opening wicket with his skipper Dilpreet Bajwa in Chennai. The Canadian youngster took much fancied New Zealand bowling apart with his blazing ton, just the second one in T20 World Cup 2026 after Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka’s ton vs Australia on Monday night.

He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 110 in 65 balls with 6 sixes and 11 fours in the final over of the Canada innings by Jacob Duffy, attempting to go for another maximum.

Yuvraj Samra was named after Yuvraj Singh

Earlier this month, Samra had revealed that he was named after Indian legend Yuvraj Singh. He has met his name-sake Yuvraj a couple of times in Canada as well.

“It’s just amazing how he hits the ball. It’s just really fun to watch. My dad always wants me to copy him. But I’m always saying that I want to be like my own version,” Samra had told ESPNCricinfo website.

“I don’t remember when it was, it was when he played for Toronto Nationals (in 2019). And then now I met him when Super 60 started, so last year, 2025 as well,” Samra added.

The Canada opener’s blazing knock carried his side to an impressive total of 173 for 4 after they won the toss and elected to bat first. Samra also became the youngest-ever batter to score a fifty in T20 World Cup, breaking the record of Bangladesh’s Junaid Siddique, who had scored a fifty at the age of 19 years and 325 days against Pakistan in 2007 T20 World Cup while Samra is only 19 years and 141 days old.

He completed his fifty with two sixes and a four off NZ’s T20 World Cup debutant Cole McConchie while he reached his century with a six and a four off Kyle Jamieson.