Sanju Samson surprises fan with ₹30,000 smartphone gift during Kerala visit

Published - 09 Apr 2026, 15:31 IST | Updated - 09 Apr 2026, 15:32 IST

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson recently created a heartwarming moment for a fan by gifting him a brand-new smartphone during a brief stop in Kerala. The incident occurred near Punchappadam School on the Mundur–Thootha road in Palakkad and has since captured widespread attention for its simplicity and kindness.

According to reports, Samson was travelling from Kozhikode to Coimbatore when he paused his journey around 5:15 pm to attend a phone call. At the same time, Shabareesh, a cable technician from Katampazhippuram, along with his friend Manikandan, was heading to a nearby ground in Mangalankunnu to play cricket. As they passed by, they noticed a familiar face inside a parked car, which turned out to be Samson himself.

While engaged in a video call, Samson acknowledged them and politely gestured for them to wait. After finishing his call, he stepped out and interacted warmly, asking about their well-being and even offering to take a photograph. Shabareesh clicked a selfie using his own phone, which had a visibly damaged display. Observing this, Samson quietly opened the back of his car and handed him a new smartphone, reportedly worth around ₹30,000.

The unexpected gesture left Shabareesh and his friends stunned and deeply moved. After a brief conversation, Samson continued his journey, leaving behind a memorable experience for the fans.

Interestingly, this touching moment comes during a challenging phase in Samson’s cricketing form. Despite playing crucial knocks during the T20 World Cup, he has struggled in the ongoing IPL season after joining Chennai Super Kings. With scores of 6, 7, and 9 in his first three matches, his performance has mirrored the team’s slow start, as they remain winless so far.

The five-time champions will take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in their fourth game on Saturday, April 11 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai hoping to open their account in the 19th edition of the tournament.