After scoring a century in his previous match, India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson played a terrific knock of 89 runs from just 46 deliveries in the Kerala Cricket League. With these two knocks, Samson has sent a clear message to the Indian team management ahead of Asia Cup 2025. This comes after his place in the playing XI looked to be in jeopardy after the Men in Blue added Shubman Gill to their 15-member squad for the continental tournament.
Samson had opened the innings for the Kochi Blue Tigers during the match against Thrissur Titans and had provided the team with a fantastic start. The wicketkeeper-batter even ended up hitting 13 runs from a single delivery during the match. It all happened in the fifth over where left-arm spinner Sijomon Joseph ended up overstepping on the fourth delivery and Samson smashed it over extra cover for a maximum.
A no-ball was called which meant that Samson got a free hit on the next delivery and he made no mistake and deposited it into the stands as well. As a result, the team ended up scoring 13 runs from one delivery.
The 30-year-old eventually missed out on a second consecutive century and was dismissed by Ajinas K in the 18th over. Samson departed after hitting four boundaries and nine towering sixes. He maintained an explosive strike-rate of 193.48 during his innings and played a crucial role in the side posting a big total of 188/7 in 20 overs.
After batting in the middle-order in the first few games of the tournament, Samson's position on the order was elevated and he was made to open. The wicketkeeper-batter's performance changed drastically in his very first match as the opener and he ended up playing a scintillating knock of 121 runs. He continued that form with the knock of 89 in the very next game against Thrissur Titans.
Samson's knock went in vain
However, Samson's explosive knock wasn't enough to get his side over the line as Thrissur Titans went on to reach the target of 189 on the final delivery of their innings. Ahammed Imran played a blistering knock of 72 while cameos of 42 and 31 from Sijomon Joseph and Arjun AK respectively saw their side emerge victorious in the final ball thriller.