Sanju Samson Scores Stunning 121 to Claim Opener’s Spot for Asia Cup

Sanju Samson showcased his explosive batting prowess with a remarkable century, scoring 121 runs off just 51 balls, during the Kerala Cricket League match at the Greenfield Stadium. His performance on Sunday guided the Kochi Blue Tigers to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Aries Kollam Sailors, providing a timely reminder of his capabilities as the Asia Cup 2025 approaches.

Opening the innings, Samson’s aggressive play included an impressive tally of 14 fours and 7 sixes, allowing Kochi to dominate the chase. This innings not only secured a crucial win but also reinforced Samson’s claim to an opening position in the Indian team ahead of the continental tournament.

Strong Return to Form

Samson’s journey to this standout performance was not without its challenges. He did not participate in Kochi’s tournament opener against the Adani Trivandrum Royals and was positioned lower in the order during the second match against the Alleppey Ripples. In that game, he struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 13 runs off 22 balls before being dismissed by Jalaj Saxena. However, his explosive century against Aries marked a significant return to form, serving as a morale booster as he prepares for international duty.

In his T20I career for India, spanning 42 matches, the 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has accumulated 861 runs across 38 innings at an average of 25.38, including three centuries and two half-centuries. Since moving to the top of the order last year, Samson has been in exceptional form, scoring three T20I hundreds in just five innings during series against Bangladesh and South Africa.

Impressive Statistics Ahead of Asia Cup

In 2024, Samson emerged as India’s most reliable T20I batter, amassing 436 runs in 12 innings at a stellar average of 43.60 and a remarkable strike rate of 180.16. His three centuries and a fifty in this period were all achieved while opening the batting, further solidifying his position as a key player.

Samson’s next challenge will be with the Indian team in the Asia Cup 2025, commencing with their first match against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. The much-anticipated clash against Pakistan is set for September 14, also in Dubai, followed by a final group match against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

The tournament format includes the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super 4 stage, scheduled from September 20 to 26. Should India finish at the top of their group, all Super 4 matches will take place in Dubai. Conversely, if they secure second place, one match will be moved to Abu Dhabi, with the remaining fixtures held in Dubai. The Asia Cup will conclude with the final match on September 28 in Dubai, setting the stage for an exciting month of cricket.