Published: February 17, 2026 at 8:24 pm
Canada’s Yuvraj Samra powered to his first international century, but it was not enough for his team to prevent New Zealand from romping to an eight-wicket victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Chennai on Tuesday.
Yuvraj became the youngest man to hit a hundred in a T20 or ODI World Cup. A big-hitting southpaw, much like the man he was named after, Yuvraj Singh, Samra lifted Canada to 173 for 4 in 20 overs. Samra finished on 110 off 65 balls, with the help off 11 fours and 6 sixes.
Chasing 174, New Zealand stumbled early, as both openers fell inside the first four overs. But Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra have steadied the ship and steered New Zealand to a Super Eight slot.
After stumbling to 60 for 2 in powerplay, New Zealand coasted to victory with 176 for 2 in 15.1 overs. With three wins in four matches, New Zealand became the second team to qualify through Group D.
Phillips had taken the charge to the Canadian bowlers, bringing up his half-century in just 22 balls with a huge heave over deep mid-wicket. Ravindra played more of an anchor role, took New Zealand past the finish line with a four. He finished at unbeaten 59 while Phillips was 76 not out, off 36 balls with the help of four fours and six sixes.
“I mean, obviously we were sticking to a process, one ball at a time. Put us on the back foot for a while. Some days you get balls in your zone and today was one of those days for both me and Rachin. We just carried on the partnership, and it grew really well. Rachin works incredibly hard on his game, so it helps to get some rewards for it. We’ve been in that position a couple of times. It’s just one of those things where if the top order doesn’t come off necessarily, the middle order has to do the job,” Phillips, who was named Player of the Match, said.
Daryl Mitchell led the New Zealand team in place of Mitchell Santner, who is unwell. “Mitch is improving as the day goes on. He’ll be fine tomorrow. Looked like a great surface, to keep them to 170 was a good effort. We back everyone in the side. We have the ‘bash brothers’ up top. We bat really deep, and everyone can get the job done on the day. I love playing for Chepauk, a lot of us have been part of the CSK family, so we love playing here. Really excited to get to Colombo and prepare for the Super Eights now,” said Daryl
As the ball raced to the fence behind the deep third area, the Canadian dugout had already begun celebrating as Yuvraj Samra created history against New Zealand.
The 19-year-old from Canada became the youngest man to hit a World Cup century, across the T20 and ODI formats. His knock of 110 off 65 deliveries, which included 11 boundaries and six sixes, made him the third youngest centurion in men’s T20I history, but the first to do it against a full-member team.
This was also his first-ever international century. It was also the first ton scored by a batter from an associate nation in the history of the T20 World Cup.
In many ways, it seemed destined that Samra would achieve such a feat given that he was named after Indian legend Yuvraj Singh. In all his years of cricket, Yuvraj Singh was the man India had turned to when the team was in trouble.
On Tuesday, with Canada needing to put up a good performance against the Kiwis to keep their T20 World Cup hopes alive, the teenager came to the rescue with an impressive innings.
In the sixth over, he hit three consecutive boundaries and finished with a six over deep cover off James Neesham’s bowling. He brought up his century in just 58 deliveries and helped Canada get to 173/4 at the end of 20 overs.
On Samra’s innings, Phillips said: “Yeah, fabulous – really clean striker of the ball. Got a long future ahead of him.”
Daryl Mitchell said Yuvraj, “He played beautifully.”
“We were one bowler short, but we were confident the ball would spin. But hard luck happened. Last two games, we were losing four-five games. Hats off to Yuvraj. Very proud moment for him, and for all Canadians. For having a 100-run partnership against one of the biggest teams. Of course, when we are one bowler short, we were thinking about who’s going to bowl,” said Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa.
“We need more cricket against these big nations. Now we’re competing, but if we get more experience, we can beat them. We beat Ireland in the last World Cup. Nothing to lose against Afghanistan, always to win. We’re going to do well day after tomorrow, hopefully,” he said.
Brief scores: Canada 173 for four in 20 overs (Yuvraj Samra 110, Dilpreet Bajwa 36) lost to New Zealand 176 for two in 15.1 overs (Finn Allen 21, Rachin Ravindra 59 not out, Glenn Phillips 76 not out).
