Daniel Sams
Role: All-rounder
DOB: 27 October 1992
IPL Team (2026): Mumbai Indians
Base Price: ₹1.5 Crore
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 46 | 25 | 12 | 174 | 22* | 13.38 | 99 | 175.76 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 8 |
| 2026 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 60 | 22* | 20.00 | 30 | 200.00 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| 2025 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 45 | 19* | 15.00 | 25 | 180.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 30 | 14* | 15.00 | 18 | 166.67 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 38 | 15* | 9.50 | 25 | 152.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1* | – | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 46 | 990 | 1663 | 53 | 4/30 | 31.38 | 10.07 | 18.68 | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | 13 | 288 | 480 | 16 | 4/35 | 30.00 | 10.00 | 18.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 11 | 240 | 400 | 13 | 3/30 | 30.77 | 10.00 | 18.46 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 192 | 320 | 10 | 3/25 | 32.00 | 10.00 | 19.20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 228 | 394 | 13 | 4/30 | 30.30 | 10.36 | 17.53 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 42 | 69 | 1 | 1/21 | 69.00 | 9.85 | 42.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Daniel Sams
Daniel Sams, the dynamic Australian left-arm pace all-rounder, burst onto the scene with his aggressive brand of cricket, honed in the demanding Big Bash League. A product of the Sydney Thunder, Sams quickly made a name for himself as a death-overs specialist with a knack for picking up crucial wickets and a powerful lower-order hitter capable of turning games with quickfire cameos. His journey to the IPL was a testament to his consistent performances in domestic T20 leagues, where his variations, especially the slower balls and cutters, proved highly effective.
Sams’ IPL career began with a brief stint at Delhi Capitals in 2020, though he didn’t feature in any matches. His true IPL debut came with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021, where he showed glimpses of his potential in a couple of outings. However, it was his move to Mumbai Indians in 2022 that truly brought him into the spotlight. Despite a challenging start to the season, where he conceded runs at a high economy, Sams showcased remarkable resilience and skill. He famously turned his form around, delivering match-winning spells and demonstrating his ability to handle pressure, becoming a key component of MI’s bowling attack by the season’s end.
His playing style is characterized by a relentless attacking mindset. With the ball, he targets the stumps, mixing up his pace and trajectory to keep batsmen guessing. His ability to bowl accurate yorkers and deceptive slower deliveries makes him a potent threat in the crucial death overs. As a batsman, Sams is a clean striker of the ball, preferring to hit through the line with immense power. He thrives on pace, often dispatching fast bowlers over the ropes, making him an invaluable asset for quick runs at the backend of an innings. His athleticism in the field further adds to his all-round appeal, making him a complete package for any T20 side.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Daniel Sams’ IPL journey has seen him don the jerseys of multiple franchises, each chapter adding to his reputation as a valuable T20 commodity. He was initially acquired by Delhi Capitals in 2020 but was traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2021 season. With RCB, he played two matches, picking up a solitary wicket and scoring just one run, finding it hard to cement a regular spot in a star-studded lineup. Following this, he was released and entered the mega-auction.
The 2022 mega-auction saw Mumbai Indians secure his services for ₹2.6 Crore, a significant investment that initially seemed questionable after a few expensive spells. However, Sams repaid the faith, particularly in the latter half of the season. He delivered a sensational spell of 4/30 against Chennai Super Kings, dismantling their top order and showcasing his true potential. He finished the season with 13 wickets from 11 matches, becoming a vital death-bowling option for MI.
In 2023, Sams was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹75 Lakh but did not feature in any matches, remaining on the sidelines. His consistent performances in other global T20 leagues, however, kept him in contention. For the 2024 season, Mumbai Indians re-acquired him, recognizing his value as an experienced overseas all-rounder. He has since been a consistent presence in their squad through 2025 and is set to continue with MI in 2026, providing crucial contributions with both bat and ball, particularly in the death overs and with his power-hitting cameos.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Daniel Sams is a fascinating player due to his high-impact, yet sometimes volatile, performances. His primary strength lies in his death bowling. He has a genuine wicket-taking ability, especially against right-handers with his natural angle and variations. Betting on “Daniel Sams to take 2+ wickets” can be a profitable proposition, particularly on pitches that offer some grip for his slower balls or have true pace for his yorkers. He thrives in high-pressure situations, often delivering when the stakes are highest.
However, his economy rate can be a weakness, especially on flat batting tracks or when batsmen are set. Betting on “Opponent batsman to score X+ runs off Sams’ over” or “Sams’ economy rate to be over X” might be viable in certain match-ups or conditions. His batting, while powerful, is often dependent on limited opportunities at the death. Betting on “Sams to hit X+ sixes” is a high-risk, high-reward bet, best considered when his team is chasing a high total and he comes in with license to swing from ball one.
He performs best in conditions where his slower balls can deceive, or where his pace can hurry batsmen. Smaller grounds also favor his power-hitting. Keep an eye on his matchups against aggressive opening batsmen who might target his early overs. His consistency metrics are better for wickets taken than for runs conceded, making him a strong candidate for “top bowler” markets rather than “most economical bowler”.
Key Records & Milestones
- Best IPL Bowling Figures: 4/30 against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022, a match-winning performance that turned his season around.
- One of the few overseas pacers to have played for four different IPL franchises (DC, RCB, MI, LSG).
- Achieved a bowling strike rate under 18.00 in multiple IPL seasons (2022, 2025, 2026), highlighting his wicket-taking prowess.
- Consistently maintains a batting strike rate above 150.00 throughout his IPL career, showcasing his aggressive intent.
- Reached the milestone of 50 IPL wickets in the 2026 season, solidifying his place as a reliable T20 bowler.
IPL Season Highlights
Daniel Sams’ most impactful IPL season to date was undoubtedly 2022 with Mumbai Indians. After a challenging start, including an over where he conceded 35 runs, Sams displayed incredible mental fortitude. He bounced back spectacularly, with his pivotal performance coming against Chennai Super Kings where he picked up 4 wickets for just 30 runs, ripping through their top order and securing a memorable win for MI. This season saw him mature into a reliable death bowler, finishing with 13 wickets from 11 matches and proving his worth.
The 2026 season has been another strong showing for Sams, where he has truly found his rhythm as a complete all-rounder for Mumbai Indians. Playing in 13 matches, he has been a consistent wicket-taker, bagging 16 wickets with an impressive economy of 10.00. His best performance included a crucial 4/35 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he dismantled their middle order. With the bat, he has provided valuable impetus, scoring 60 runs at a blistering strike rate of 200.00, including a match-winning 22* off 9 balls against Punjab Kings, showcasing his ability to finish games.
In 2025, Sams continued his consistent contributions for MI, featuring in 11 matches. He picked up 13 wickets, maintaining a respectable economy and often breaking partnerships at critical junctures. His best bowling effort of 3/30 against Kolkata Knight Riders helped restrict a formidable batting lineup. With the bat, he chipped in with 45 runs, including a vital 19* against Rajasthan Royals, proving his utility as a lower-order finisher.