• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Sanju Samson Warms Up For Kcl With An Entertaining Fifty In Exhibition Match

Sanju Samson Warms Up For KCL With An Entertaining Fifty In Exhibition Match

Akshita Patel

Sanju Samson entertains crowd with sublime knock [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Sanju Samson entertains crowd with sublime knock [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Sanju Samson reminded everyone of his class as he scored a superb half-century in a thrilling exhibition match organised by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) at the Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Playing for the KCA Secretary’s XI, Samson’s knock set the stage for a nail-biting finish under the newly inaugurated LED floodlights at the stadium. 

The special Independence Day clash saw Kerala’s two big cricketing stars, Sanju Samson and Sachin Baby, leading the Secretary’s XI and President’s XI, respectively. 

The game also marked the unveiling of the stadium’s new ₹18-crore LED lighting system, celebrated with a grand laser and music show before the match began. 

Sanju Samson’s Fifty Powers Secretary’s XI To Narrow Win

Batting first, President’s XI posted a competitive total of 184/8 in 20 overs. Rohan Kunnumal played a blistering knock of 60 runs from just 29 balls, while V Abhijith Praveen smashed 47 off 18 balls. 

The chase, however, was all about Vishnu Vinod and Sanju Samson. Vinod gave Secretary’s XI the perfect start, blasting 69 off just 29 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes. 

After his dismissal, the spotlight shifted to Sanju Samson, who walked in at No. 4. The Rajasthan Royals captain batted responsibly and stylishly, holding the innings together with a composed 54 off 36 deliveries. His innings contained calculated aggression that kept his side in command even as wickets were being lost at the other end.

With just 13 runs needed from 8 balls, Samson was dismissed at a crucial stage, leaving the match on a knife-edge. But Basil Thampi sealed the win in dramatic fashion by smashing a six with two balls to spare, guiding the Secretary’s XI to a thrilling one-wicket victory.

Samson To Represent Kochi Blue Tigers In KCL

This half-century is the perfect warm-up Sanju Samson needed for the Kerala Cricket League season 2, where he will be the vice-captain of Kochi Blue Tigers. The franchise bought him for a record price of ₹26.80 lakh during the auction. However, Samson will play under the captaincy of his elder brother, Saly Samson, who was signed for just ₹75,000. The league begins on August 21 at Thiruvananthapuram.