'I see it as a blessing': Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal after smashing career-best 121 in record-breaking partnership with Sanju Samson on SMAT 2025 opening day

Kerala got their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 campaign with a record-breaking start on November 26 with a 10-wicket win over Odisha with 21 balls to spare. Skipper Sanju Samson scored a half-century whereas opening partner Rohan Kunnummal scored an unbeaten 60-ball 121 in the run chase. Samson and Kunnummal broke the record for highest opening partnership in SMAT history within few hours of Gujarat openers rewriting record books.

After his T20 career-best score of 121 not out, Kunnummal said that batting with Samson is a blessing for him.

“As a junior player to him, it is easy for me to be there with him. He will take all the initiative and guide me. You just have to stay there at the wicket and make sure you are following his instructions. He was guiding me throughout the innings, and he has been guiding me all through the years, from the day I debuted for Kerala. I see it as a blessing to be playing alongside him,” Kunnummal told Sportstar after his match-winning knock.

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Kunnummal reveals Samson’s advice

Kunnummal said that he did not get the timing right straightaway. Samson asked him to play the ball as per merit. The advice turned out to be fruitful for the opener as he reached his century in no time.

“Initially, I wasn’t able to time the ball well. I asked Sanju bhai, ‘I think I am not in the zone right now.’ He told me to react to the ball and play to the merit [of the ball]. That backed me throughout the innings. I was trusting my instincts and going with the flow. Everything went my way today,” Kunnummal added.

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The 27-year-old hit 10 sixes and as many fours in his 60-ball 121. He shared a 177-run partnership with Samson who played second fiddle. The wicketkeeper-batter's unbeaten 41-ball 51 featured six fours and a six.

The previous highest opening partnership of 174 belonged to Gujarat openers Urvil Patel and Aarya Desai against Services.

Kunnummal’s chance to make IPL franchises notice

Kunnummal would look to continue his form in the format and make a case for him to get picked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mini-auction. Earlier, he has put his name in the auction but went unsold. Kerala's next game is against Railways in Lucknow on November 28. Railways suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Shardul Thakur-led Mumbai on the opening day.