Sanju Samson gave the Indian selectors something to think about with a fluent half-century in a KCA exhibition match at Trivandrum’s Greenfield Stadium. The game, played to inaugurate the stadium’s new floodlight system, saw Samson captain the KCA Secretary’s XI against Sachin Baby’s KCA President’s XI.
Anchoring a tricky chase
Chasing 185, Samson came in unusually at number four after the powerplay. Partnering with Vishnu Vinod, who smashed 69 off 29 balls, Samson played an anchoring role, mixing steady accumulation with fluent stroke-play. He reached 54 off 36 balls before falling, leaving the game in the balance until Basil Thampi’s penultimate-ball six sealed a narrow one-wicket win.
Sharp in the field
Samson also made an impact with the gloves, taking a sharp catch at slip to dismiss opposition skipper Sachin Baby. The match featured other standout performances, including Rohan Kunnummal’s explosive 60 off 29 balls and Abhijith Praveen’s quickfire 47 off 18 for the President’s XI.
Asia Cup selection and IPL future
The knock is timely for Samson, who has battled injuries this year and faced questions over match readiness ahead of the Asia Cup. Off the field, his IPL future is also in focus, with reports of him seeking a trade away from Rajasthan Royals. Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are among the franchises reportedly exploring options.
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