The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai turned the epicentre of cricketing historical past on February 17, 2026, as Canada squared off in opposition to New Zealand in a high-stakes Group D encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In a event identified for its unpredictability, 19-year-old sensation Yuvraj Samra delivered a efficiency for the ages, hammering a wide ranging century that left the Black Caps reeling and the worldwide cricket fraternity in absolute awe.
The environment in Chennai was electrical as Canada, usually labeled the underdogs, determined to bat first after successful the toss. What adopted was a masterclass in aggressive batsmanship. Samra, exhibiting maturity far past his nineteen years, didn’t simply play an innings; he dictated the tempo of all the match.
Yuvraj Samra smashes sensational century in opposition to New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026
His journey to the milestone reached its crescendo within the seventeenth over when he confronted the towering Kyle Jamieson. With a deft under-edge on a supply outdoors off-stump that raced to the deep backward level boundary, Samra reached the triple-figure mark off simply 58 deliveries. The celebration was as poignant because the knock itself—Samra eliminated his helmet, revealing a younger face framed by a thick beard, and raised his bat to the heavens because the Chennai crowd rose in a standing ovation.
Samra’s innings was a mix of technical finesse and uncooked energy. Ending with an impressive 110 off 65 balls, his knock included 9 boundaries and a couple of towering sixes, hanging at a formidable price of 169.23. He anchored the Canadian innings from the beginning, forging an enormous 116-run opening partnership with skipper Dilpreet Bajwa. Whereas Bajwa performed a supportive position with a gentle 36, it was Samra who capitalized on the Powerplay, propelling Canada to 50 runs inside the first six overs.
The New Zealand bowling assault, that includes seasoned veterans like Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, struggled to seek out solutions to Samra’s modern shot choice. Even the bounce of Jamieson proved ineffective in opposition to {the teenager}’s medical precision. Samra reached his half-century in 36 balls after which accelerated exponentially, shifting gears to carry up his maiden World Cup ton. By the point he was ultimately caught by Glenn Phillips off the bowling of Duffy within the ultimate over, he had already positioned Canada ready of unprecedented power.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
🚨 HISTORY BY 19-YEAR-OLD YUVRAJ SAMRA 🚨
He turns into the youngest batter to attain a Hundred in T20 World Cup historical past. pic.twitter.com/qzpLoqIEdh
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 17, 2026
Yuvraj Samra mentioned “Yuvraj Singh is somebody I’ve regarded as much as since I used to be a child so to even be talked about in the identical breath is particular”. 🥹♥️ pic.twitter.com/lMUoVHew5e
— Gyanu Gautam (@gyanudatt8) February 17, 2026
Yuvraj. Chepauk. Centuries 💯✨
Fantastically performed, Samra! 💛
Anbuden applauds 👏#WhistlePodu #T20WorldCup
📷 : ICC pic.twitter.com/nY41drxJn2— Chennai Tremendous Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 17, 2026
YUVRAJ SAMRA – YOUNGEST IN T20 WORLD CUP HISTORY TO SCORE A HUNDRED.
– He’s named after Yuvraj Singh. 😄❤️ pic.twitter.com/DE1TcuHalq
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 17, 2026
CHEPAUK CROWD GIVING A STANDING OVATION TO YUVRAJ SAMRA 💛#nzvscan pic.twitter.com/eABsucc9NE
— Gopal (@NandgopalK28724) February 17, 2026
Yuvraj Samra mentioned – “I simply want my dad was right here at this time watching me from again dwelling, this one’s for him”. 🥹
– Yuvraj Samra devoted his Hundred to his father! pic.twitter.com/KGP5ZUdkzG
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 17, 2026
🚨 HISTORY BY 19-YEAR-OLD YUVRAJ SAMRA 🚨
He turns into the youngest batter to attain a Hundred in T20 World Cup historical past. pic.twitter.com/zrwKxpahEf
— Gyanu Gautam (@gyanudatt8) February 17, 2026
🚨Youngest to attain 100 in T20 WCs :
19y 141d – Yuvraj Samra (CAN) vs NZ, Chennai, 2026*
22y 127d – Ahmed Shehzad (PAK) vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
23y 156d – Suresh Raina (IND) vs SA, Gros Islet, 2010
25y 83d – Alex Hales (ENG) vs SL, Chattogram, 2014
25y 327d – Glenn Phillips… pic.twitter.com/ZZI5o9Uc2D— Vaishanvi Cricket (@Vaishnvii05) February 17, 2026
Named after Yuvraj Singh, Canada’s opening batter Yuvraj Samra turns into the youngest centurion within the historical past of T20Is#NZvsCan pic.twitter.com/x7jMin5FjZ
— Naresh Tanwar (@nareshtanwar_) February 17, 2026
Highest Rating in T20 Worldcup
123 – Brendon McCullum (v BAN, 2012)
117 – Chris Gayle (v SA, 2007)
116* – Alex Hales (v SL, 2014)
111* – Ahmed Shahzad (v BAN, 2014)
110 – Yuvraj Samra (v NZ, 2026)* pic.twitter.com/rlVRt6a4Zl— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) February 17, 2026
Additionally READ: Fans go wild as Pathum Nissanka smashes century to take Sri Lanka into the Super 8 with a win over Australia
Canada posts formidable complete to problem New Zealand’s dominance
Supported by Samra’s heroics, Canada completed their 20 overs with a extremely aggressive complete of 173/4. The match circulation illustrated a staff taking part in with newfound confidence; they crossed the 100-run mark within the thirteenth over and maintained a scoring price of over 8.5 runs per over all through the innings. Regardless of a slight wobble within the center order—the place Navneet Dhaliwal and Nicholas Kirton fell in fast succession—Harsh Thaker and Dilon Heyliger supplied a late flourish to make sure the momentum remained with the North American aspect.
For New Zealand, the scorecard made for tough studying. Jamieson was significantly costly, conceding 41 runs in his 4 overs, whereas the spin of Cole McConchie was taken for 34. Because the groups headed into the innings break, the win likelihood for Canada jumped to a good 35.40%, a testomony to the scoreboard stress created by Samra. With a goal of 174 on a Chennai floor that historically affords grip for the bowlers, the stage is now set for a historic upset.
Additionally READ: Australia’s qualification scenario for Super 8 round after major defeat in T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka
