India, March 7 -- Cast your mind back to 2013. This is the year that will see India's Champions Trophy success, Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international hundred, and then subsequently his retirement. Before all of that, in that year's IPL, Mumbai Indians would go on to win the first of their five IPL titles.

In that very IPL, a 19-year-old from Kerala, reared in New Delhi, the son of a police officer, would make his debut. Sanju Samson suited up for the very first time for Rajasthan Royals, and put together a formidable season despite his youth. Playing alongside Rahul Dravid, Shane Watson, and Ajinkya Rahane, Samson would have the first of many fine seasons as he won the Emerging Player of the Tournament.

That was the first time most cri...