Sanju Samson sends huge statement of intent to BCCI, Ajit Agarkar days before India's Asia Cup squad announcement
Playing for the KCA Secretary's XI against the KCA President's XI in a match on Independence Day to inaugurate the new floodlights system at Greenfield Stadium in Trivandrum, Samson led his team against Ranji Trophy state captain Sachin Baby's unit.
The Secretary's XI was set a total of 185 to chase down after the first innings, and Samson surprisingly came in at number 4, down the order from the role he has made his own in the top three at the IPL and international level.
Coming in at the end of the powerplay, Samson played an anchoring role in the chase, not trying to force the issue, with teammate Vishnu Vinod doing the bulk of the scoring with a terrific 69(29) from the other end. Nevertheless, Samson never got stuck, looking fluent enough as he worked his way to 54(36).
It isn't an innings that will tear up roots, but one that will give the selection committee and coaching staff of the national team some confidence in terms of his return to form.
Samson would fall after scoring 54, however, and the match would go down to the last over, and to the last wicket. On the second-last ball of the innings, with one wicket in hand, Basil Thampi hit a match-winning six to seal the game in the Secretary XI's favour by the narrowest of margins.
Samson also took a blinder of a catch fielding at slip to dismiss his opposite captain.
Other players who impressed in this match at the Greenfield Stadium outside of the belligerent Vishnu Vinod were two batters from the President's XI, Rohan Kunnummal with 60(29) and Abhijith Praveen's 47(18), making for an electric encounter.
Elsewhere off the field, part of Samson's focus might well be on his future in the IPL, where he has made clear his desire to part ways with Rajasthan Royals despite having their captaincy ahead of IPL 2026. Trades are being considered, with teams such as CSK and KKR weighing up their options.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
19 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Empty slots: Players in contention for the last two spots for India in Asia Cup squad
While most names in the Asia Cup squad may face little debate, two spots may prompt some discussion when the selection panel meets on Tuesday. Here's looking at the choices and what they bring to the table: Mohammed Siraj: After his indefatigable display in England, the only logic that should keep him out of the squad would be the much-debated workload management. If there's any player deserving of a rest, it's Siraj, who played every match of the five-Test series, bowled the most overs and got the most wickets and was instrumental in India earning a share of the spoils. Crucially, he ran in from his first ball to his last, and never let up in pace. Harshit Rana: He is known to lose pace and energy in later spells, but shouldn't have much trouble in managing four overs. He has caught the eye with wicket-taking spells for both franchise and country, and isn't lacking in aggression, as he showed in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth late last year, before losing his wheels in Adelaide. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has seen what he is capable of while being in charge of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Prasidh Krishna: He got better as the England series progressed, but is known to thrive more in conditions that offer bounce and some lateral movement. The tall pacer has got all the tools, but whether he would be the ideal bowler for the pitches in Dubai is debatable. His best performances in an India shirt have come when he has been handed responsibility, often in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, as was seen in Sydney and more recently at The Oval. Shreyas Iyer: If the selectors take a call on pure batting pedigree, they don't have to look beyond the player who led two different franchises, both with the willow especially against spin and his leadership, to IPL finals in two successive seasons. He brings calm and game awareness and can set the game up and also finish it. Shreyas has developed a swagger of late and commands respect in whichever dressing room he finds himself in. The player who defined the last IPL should logically be in the Indian T20 side. Rinku Singh: He has been designated a finisher by his IPL team as well as when he has turned out in India colours, often limiting the number of balls he gets to face. Winning a game for his team by hitting five successive sixes in the final over is a rare occurrence, and that freak achievement, while bringing him into the national spotlight, has pigeon-holed him as an endgame player. It doesn't help that Gambhir doesn't like to designate any player as a finisher in his team. Riyan Parag: He has been earmarked as a promising talent but has not quite delivered, at least not on a consistent basis. He has played the odd impressive knock for Rajasthan Royals, but is not known to win games for his side. The Assam player has a second string to his bow in the form of his part-time off-spin, but that's usually good for only a couple of overs. Selectors have been waiting for the 23-year-old to show a mature head on his shoulders to stake a viable claim to a spot in the national side. Washington Sundar: He did all that was asked of him in England – save a Test, hit some big blows in the company of the tail making the vital difference between victory and defeat, while getting crucial wickets with his underrated off-spin. His skill-set would be useful in Dubai, and he was part of the side that won the ICC Champions Trophy there earlier this year. It helps that Gambhir is fond of depth, in both batting and bowling.
New Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Buchi Babu tournament: Spinners, young pacers in focus
CHENNAI: Left-arm spinners DT Chandrasekar and M Siddharth will be the cynosure of all eyes as the All-India Buchi Babu tournament begins in Chennai on Monday. From Tamil Nadu's perspective, this is virtually the selection trials for the Ranji Trophy team. With S Ajith Ram ruled out for this season due to an injury he suffered during the TNPL, the choice for the second spinner after R Sai Kishore could be between DT Chandrasekar and M Siddharth. But If the selectors favour youth instead of an experienced hand, then the Trichy-based off spinner M Hemchudesan will come into the picture. Hemchudesan has been terrific at the U-19 level, picking up 47 wickets to help Tamil Nadu win the Cooch Behar trophy after 33 years. He has also been among wickets in the TNCA Senior Division the Buchi Babu tournament, M Siddharth and Chandrasekar will be playing for TNCA XI while Hemchudesan will be turning out for the TNCA President's XI. 'Pleased to be back in the Buchi Babu squad after a long time. If given an opportunity I will give my best shot,' said DT Chandrasekar. Chandrasekar has been in the best form of his life in the TNCA Senior Division league. He recently bowled himself into the record books, taking a 10-wicket haul for Sea Hawks against Globe Trotters in the TNCA first division league. Chandrasekar's 10/37 came in a single unbroken spell of 15 overs which helped his team bundle out Globe Trotters for a paltry 91. Former India off-spinner M Venkataramana was the last player to take all 10 wickets in the TNCA First Division league in 1992. 'I am bowling well at the moment. During that ten-wicket haul, I was in the zone and bowled with good flow. I have been bowling well for my side (Sea Hawks) this season. Last year also I bowled well in the TNCA league,'' said Chandrasekar.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Jasprit Bumrah makes himself available ahead of Asia Cup 2025: Report
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has confirmed his availability for the upcoming Asia Cup in Dubai, providing a major boost to the national side ahead of the crucial tournament. According to sources within the BCCI, Bumrah recently informed selectors that he is ready to return to action and has communicated his fitness status. Asia Cup squad to be finalised soon The senior selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet on August 19 in Mumbai to finalize a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, which will be played between September 9 and 18 in the T20 format. Bumrah, who was released from Test duties after India's win at Edgbaston in July, last featured in international cricket during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in June 2024. With the Asia Cup being a T20 event, the workload on Bumrah is expected to be more manageable compared to Test cricket, giving the management flexibility in choosing his spells. To ensure smooth preparations, the Indian team will travel early to the UAE. Most players will head directly for the Asia Cup, though the BCCI had initially proposed a preparatory camp in Bengaluru. Arriving a few days ahead will allow players to get acclimatized and practice before the tournament kicks off. Positive fitness updates for Team India Meanwhile, India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav has also been declared fit after completing rehabilitation from a lower-right abdominal hernia surgery in Germany earlier this year. Yadav underwent a detailed fitness program at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and has now been cleared to participate. His return comes as a timely reinforcement, with his leadership and batting firepower crucial for India's campaign. Suryakumar had faced multiple injury setbacks over the past year, including surgeries for sports hernia and ankle issues. Despite that, he showcased his class in the IPL, scoring 717 runs for Mumbai Indians, finishing as the second-highest run-getter of the season. His fitness clearance ensures India will have both Bumrah and Yadav available, two key figures as the team aims for continental glory in Dubai
