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Sanju Samson Joins New T20 Team After IPL 2025

July 5, 2025, 1:13 pm

Sanju Samson has officially signed for the Kochi Blue Tigers of the Kerala Premier League (KPL) and is the league’s highest-paid player ever. The signing was announced just a month following the end of the IPL 2025 season.

Sanju pegged his base price at ₹3 lakh, but Kochi stole the headlines by acquiring him for a whopping ₹26.80 lakh—over half of the ₹50 lakh budget per franchise. This acquisition seals his position as the league’s most valuable player in its short history.

The second edition of KPL will be held between August 21 and September 6, and India has no T20I games lined up during this period, freeing Sanju’s calendar—at least on paper.

Possible Conflict With Duleep Trophy Obligations

Sanju can still miss out on half of the Kerala Premier League if he is picked for the Duleep Trophy, which starts from August 28. In the previous year, he was a part of India D team. His availability would be determined by national selection and the calendar of games.

Big Other Signings in KPL Auction

The KPL auction also witnessed some other prominent players securing great deals. Another Kerala player with IPL background, Vishnu Vinod, was acquired by Aries Kollam for ₹13.8 lakh. Jalaj Saxena, a regular of the domestic league and India A player, was acquired by Alleppey Ripples for ₹12.4 lakh.

CSK Interested in Sanju Samson Trade From RR

Rumors regarding Sanju Samson’s IPL future have grown stronger. Though still leading Rajasthan Royals, a Cricbuzz report found that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are interested in recruiting him into their team—if he becomes available.

“Sanju is certainly someone we are looking at. He is an Indian batsman, who is both a keeper and an opener. So if he is on the market, certainly we will be considering the possibility of him being with us,” said a CSK official to Cricbuzz.

The move would involve a trade, be it before or after the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

Samson’s Journey With RR So Far

Sanju started his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals in 2013 and was a part of the team until 2015. He played briefly elsewhere before RR re-signed him in the 2018 mega-auction. He has been captain of the team since IPL 2021 and has been the core player for the franchise since then.

With KPL 2025 in the offing and CSK’s interest hanging in the air, Sanju Samson’s cricketing schedule and coming team affiliations are red-hot with speculation. His ₹26.80 lakh contract also puts the spotlight strongly on the increasing popularity and commercial muscle of Kerala’s T20 league.

Is Sanju Samson Joining CSK? Instagram Post Sparks Buzz About RR Exit After IPL 2025

June 9, 2025, 12:04 pm

Is Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals (RR) to join Chennai Super Kings (CSK)? That’s the question on everyone’s mind following RR captain’s cryptic Instagram post that said, “Time to MOVE.!!” The picture, where Samson is standing with his wife next to a road with a yellow line drawn on it, left fans going crazy, believing it to be a veiled reference to a switch to the yellow-uniformed CSK.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sanju V Samson (@imsanjusamson)

A user posted, “Seems Sanju is leaving RR and coming to CSK,” while another said, “He is going to CSK I TOLD YOU EARLIER.” Fueling speculation, another fan shared, “Bro Chennai Super Kings coming button.”

Transfer Only Possible Through Trade or Auction

If CSK needs to bring in Samson to their team, the franchise needs to get him through trade. Another option for CSK is to go for the star batter at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, but only if Rajasthan Royals drop him from their retained list.

Currently, CSK’s captain is Ruturaj Gaikwad, who replaced the great MS Dhoni.

Sanju Samson’s IPL Journey So Far

Sanju Samson started his IPL career with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012 when they were part of the championship-winning team, though he didn’t get an opportunity to play. Before the 2013 IPL, Rajasthan Royals signed him, and he played for them till 2015.

He then shifted his base to Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) for IPL 2016 and 2017, before returning to RR at the IPL 2018 mega-auction. RR retained him once again prior to both the IPL 2022 and IPL 2025 mega-auctions.

A Successful Captain for Rajasthan Royals

Samson was named captain of Rajasthan Royals in 2021. With him as captain, RR made the final of IPL 2022, their first title appearance since their very first title in 2008.

Samson has captained RR in a total of 65 games, winning 33 and losing 32. His stability and leadership have turned him into the backbone of the franchise.

RR’s Top Run-Score in IPL

With 4027 runs, Sanju Samson is the highest run-scoring for RR in IPL history. He is the lone batter from the franchise to have achieved the 4000-run mark. His teammate Jos Buttler takes the second spot with 3055 runs.

International Career and National Duties

Samson’s showings in the IPL got him included in the national team for the 2014 England tour, and he made his Indian debut in 2015. He still appears in India’s T20I squad as a regular member.

Although there’s been no official word on how things are shaping up for him and CSK, his mysterious post has already fueled fan speculation and excitement leading up to IPL 2026.

Rahul Dravid Reacts to Rumoured Rift with Sanju Samson: Calls It “Baseless”

April 19, 2025, 10:59 am

Rahul Dravid, the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, totally dismissed news of any feud between the franchise and captain Sanju Samson. During the press conference before the IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants, Dravid termed all the reports as “baseless.” He asserted that the team is still united in their quest for the playoffs.

The Story of rumoured Rift Between Rahul Dravid and Sanju Samson

The scandal originated from a video clip in which Sanju Samson failed to participate in a team huddle when Dravid was observed in discussion with support staff and a few of his players. It prompted news of a potential rift and even a threat to Sanju’s RR captaincy.

“I don’t know where these reports are coming from. Sanju and I are on the same page,” Rahul Dravid said.

“He’s a very integral part of our team. He’s involved in each and every decision and discussion. Sometimes, when you lose games and things don’t go right, you face criticism and we can take it on our performances, but we can’t do anything about this baseless stuff. The spirit of the team is really good, I’m impressed with how hard these guys work. One of the things people don’t understand is how hurt the players feel when they don’t perform,” the Rajasthan Royals head coach explained.

Sanju Samson’s Injury Update Ahead of LSG Clash

Samson’s availability is in question for the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday. The franchise is waiting on scan reports of a side injury.

Samson retired injured after hitting 31 off 19 balls due to a possible side strain in RR’s recent game against the Delhi Capitals on Wednesday.

The RR skipper seemed to be in pain after attempting a cut shot off Vipraj Nigam. The physio checked the left side of his ribcage. He walked off the field shortly after facing the next delivery. The match was tied, and RR ultimately lost the Super Over.

“Sanju experienced a bit of pain in the abdominal area. So we have gone for scans. He has done some scans today so we are waiting the results of those scans. And then once we get a bit more clarity around the scans and the severity of (the injury) we’ll take a decision going forward and we’ll see what happens,” head coach Rahul Dravid said in the pre-match press conference on Friday.

Sanju Samson Ignores Rahul Dravid, Fans Fear Rift | Watch

April 18, 2025, 8:55 am

The exciting match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday (April 16, 2025), which was finally won through Super Over, is still the hot topic of discussion on social media, with all the post-game video footage being discussed and analyzed. But the viral one has created fear among social media users about a divide within the Rajasthan Royals team between head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Sanju Samson.

In the video, Dravid can be observed talking to Rajasthan Royals team members, including his support staff, shortly before the Super Over begins, with the commentator wondering who the team would choose to bat against Mitchell Starc. The player was next observed waving Sanju Samson over to the conversation as the captain was strolling in the vicinity of the dugout, but he immediately shook his head with his hand to reject the invitation.

Sanju Samson’s body language tells a 1000 word’s of his painful situation in this RR team.

Rahul Dravid you have blood on your hand’s for destroying this beautiful side to pieces ????? pic.twitter.com/t2I5pzaujR

— AntiBazballian ™ ? (@rs_3702) April 17, 2025

How Did DC Defeat RR?

Batting first in their second home match in Delhi in the current IPL 2025, Delhi depended on a late flourish by captain Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs to post a target of 189. KL Rahul and opening batsman Abhishek Porel contributed a 63-run partnership off 57 balls, but the slow nature of the wicket did not enable them to gain pace against spin or pace. But Axar counterattacked against Wanindu Hasaranga and slammed 34 off 14 deliveries while Stubbs, dropped on 18 off the spinner, took 18 balls for his unbeaten 34 as the last three overs yielded Delhi 42 runs.

In response, Nitish Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal made their respective fifties to place Rajasthan in the touching distance of victory, but Mitchell Starc defended nine runs in the last over with his flawless yorkers to compel a tie-breaker.

Super Over Drama

Two run-outs in Starc’s Super Over reduced Rajasthan to 11-2 before KL Rahul and Stubbs hammered Sandeep Sharma’s first four balls for 13 runs and moved Delhi to the top of the points table with five victories from six matches.

Sanju Samson Provides Injury Update After Retiring Hurt vs DC

April 17, 2025, 9:57 am

In a thriller ending at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, Mitchell Starc’s heroics in the last over propelled the duel between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) to the first Super Over of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which the hosts won in an intense thriller. Rajasthan Royals, in pursuit of a modest total, required only nine runs off the last over, but Starc, proving why he is considered one of the world’s best, produced a masterclass under pressure. Giving away only eight runs, he took the game to a Super Over, where the momentum decisively shifted in Delhi’s direction. While RR captain Sanju Samson got injured during the game.

Injury Scare for Sanju Samson

RR captain Sanju Samson began on a solid note and made a 31-run quick-fire off only 19 balls (3x6s and 2x4s) but had to watch the latter half of the inning from the bench as he suffered an injury, spoke about his fitness after the match. The injury scare arose in the sixth over of the RR innings off DC bowler Vipraj Nigam, when he experienced pain in his ribs and retired hurt.

“It feels alright (his injury). I wasn’t just ready to come back and bat. It feels alright now. We will observe it tomorrow and see how it is,” he said.

Sanju Samson Praises Starc’s Heroics

Reflecting on the game, RR skipper Sanju Samson praised Starc’s match-winning performance. “I think as we all saw, some fantastic bowling by Starcy. He is one of the best guys around in the world. I would like to give it to Starcy. He won them the game in the 20th over,” Samson said.

Super Over Drama

In the Super Over, Rajasthan Royals could score only 11 runs, leaving a target of 12 to DC, and Starc was tight there too. Sandeep Sharma was the one in charge with the ball for RR, and KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs went out to chase for the Capitals. The pair had no hesitation, completing the chase in as many as four balls to take the team through.

Sanju Samson Praises Team’s Performance Despite Loss

Even in the loss, Samson praised his team’s overall performance.

“We bowled well. There were phases when they came hard at us. I would like to give credit to our bowlers and fielders. The energy on the ground was fantastic,” he said.

He also believed that the match was well within their reach.

“I thought that score was chaseable given the batting lineup that we had. The start that we got in the Powerplay. I felt it was a chaseable score,” he said.

Sanju Samson had a special word for pacer Sandeep Sharma, who bowled the Super Over for Rajasthan.

“I think Sandeep has been bowling the toughest overs for us in the last few years. Starcy took it away,” he admitted.

“A win today could have created some positivity in the dressing room,” he added.

Sanju Samson Slapped With Rs 24 Lakh Fine for Slow Over-Rate

April 10, 2025, 9:37 am

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson was charged Rs 24 lakh fine as his side sustained a slow over-rate in the IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday. It was not the day for RR as they got outplayed completely by Gujarat. Which led thumbing 58 runs for the Sanju Samson lead team.

Samson was fined for violating the IPL code of conduct and this was the second occasion when RR had a slow over-rate in this year’s tournament. Earlier, after the match against Chennai Super Kings, stand-in captain Riyan Parag was fined Rs 12 lakh. “The remaining members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, will be fined either INR six lakhs or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser,” an IPL media release stated.

Sanju Samson admits RR lost grip at Key Moments

In the meantime, Samson conceded his team allowed the game to get away from them at crucial junctures in their 58-run defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. In pursuit of a formidable target of 218, RR were bowled out for 159 in 19.2 overs, as Gujarat’s bowlers dismantled their batting order.

Talking after the loss, Samson referred to lapses in execution with both bat and ball.”We gave away 15-20 runs extra in the bowling,” he said.

“When we needed momentum, we lost wickets. With Hettie [Shimron Hetmyer], sixes and fours kept coming. But I lost my wicket and that’s where we lost the game,” he added.

Sanju Samson-Parag Partnership

Samson played a promising knock of 41 off 28 deliveries, striking four boundaries and two sixes. He and Riyan Parag stitched together a 48-run partnership, offering brief hope before a collapse triggered by Gujarat’s disciplined bowling attack.

The RR captain attributed Jofra Archer with an excellent ball start, “The way Jofra started was good, he picked up Shubman’s wicket. Then we went off plan. We planned something but they executed something else. We will have to look at that tomorrow,” Samson noted.

The Royals have shown strength while batting first this season, but questions have emerged about their ability to chase down big totals under pressure. Samson acknowledged the debate but reiterated the team’s intent to be a well-rounded unit.

“When you lose games, we also feel should we have chased? Should we have done something else?” he reflected.

“We want to be a team that wins games while chasing, not just win batting first,” he added.

The Royals now embark on a period of internal reflection as they seek a turn-around and getting their momentum back in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sanju Samson Awaits BCCI Nod for Wicketkeeping Comeback

March 31, 2025, 5:28 pm

Sanju Samson has made a visit to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in pursuit of clearance for wicket-keeping. India ‘keeper-batter flew from Guwahati to Bengaluru on Monday (March 31) in a quest to get full clearance from the CoE managers.

Partial Clearance and First IPL Comeback

The Rajasthan Royals captain had been given only a temporary and partial clearance to continue playing in the current IPL after undergoing surgery on his right index finger. Now, he will be tested by the Sport Science wing at the CoE and seek permission to resume his normal responsibilities.

Probable Return as Rajasthan Royals Skipper

Provided permission is granted to keep wickets, Sanju will also resume as skipper. Due to the partial clearance, he had given up the captaincy to Riyan Parag and played as an Impact Player in the Royals’ three matches till now this season. Sources say that his thumb injury has completely healed, and he feels good enough to resume wicket-keeping responsibilities. “He will request permission to do so for the rest of the games and should be available as skipper from the RR’s next game, which is almost a week from now,” an insider revealed.

Sanju Samson IPL 2025 Performance Till Date

Sanju Samson has scored 66 (against SRH), 13 (against KKR), and 20 (against CSK) in the three matches he has played to date as strictly a batter, without playing any overs, as compared to being an Impact Player. In Sanju’s absence, Dhruv Jurel stood in as the team’s wicketkeeper. If he gets the go-ahead from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) facility, the India ‘keeper-batter is likely to regain his position behind the wickets and also resume his captaincy.

The Royals have had a patchy beginning to their IPL season, losing their first two matches before breaking their duck with a victory over Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Sunday evening. They will then play Punjab Kings in an away match on April 5, then another road match, against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 9. The team will then get back to their initial hub, Jaipur, where they will host their third home match against RCB on April 13.

Sanju Samson Apologizes After Six Hits Female Fan, Leaves Her In Tears | Watch

November 16, 2024, 4:17 pm

Sanju Samson made history on Friday, smashing his third century of the year during India’s commanding 135-run win over South Africa in the final T20I at Johannesburg. India secured a 3-1 victory in the four-match series, with Samson becoming the first player in T20I history to hit three centuries in a calendar year. He also joined England’s Phil Salt as the only players to record two hundreds in a single T20I series.

Samson, alongside Tilak Varma, put on a spectacular show, adding an unbeaten 210-run partnership for the second wicket. Together, they hammered 19 sixes, with Tilak hitting 10 and Samson contributing 9.

During the 10th over, Samson’s slog-swept six off Tristian Stubbs hit a young spectator in the face after rebounding off the stadium railing. The girl, visibly shaken and in tears, was assisted by fellow spectators with an ice pack. Upon noticing, Samson raised his hand in apology.

Watch the Video here:

Wishing a quick recovery for the injured fan! ??

Keep watching the 4th #SAvIND T20I LIVE on #JioCinema, #Sports18 & #ColorsCineplex ?#JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/KMtBnOa1Hj

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 15, 2024

Samson’s hundred followed his 107 in the Durban opener, marking his dominance in the series. For the first time in men’s T20I cricket, two batters—Samson and Varma—scored centuries in the same innings between full ICC members.

With three T20I hundreds, Samson now surpasses KL Rahul’s tally and trails only Rohit Sharma (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (3) among Indians. His incredible run includes three centuries in his last five innings, despite consecutive ducks earlier in the series.

Tilak Varma also shone with his second consecutive hundred, blasting 102 off 50 balls, including 10 sixes and 9 fours, underscoring India’s dominance in the series decider.

Sanju Samson’s Huge Six Accidentally Hits Female Fan | WATCH

November 16, 2024, 3:01 pm

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson hit a massive six during the fourth T20I against South Africa on Friday, unintentionally striking a female fan in the crowd. The fan, visibly distressed, was left in tears after being hit on the face by the ball. The incident occurred in the 10th over when Samson smashed a towering six off Tristan Stubbs over deep mid-wicket. Medical assistance was provided as the woman was given ice for her injury. Samson, visibly apologetic upon realizing the fan was hurt, gained praise online as the video of the incident went viral.

Watch:

Wishing a quick recovery for the injured fan! ??

Keep watching the 4th #SAvIND T20I LIVE on #JioCinema, #Sports18 & #ColorsCineplex ?#JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/KMtBnOa1Hj

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 15, 2024

In the match, India secured a dominant 135-run victory over South Africa, clinching the four-match series 3-1. Samson was in sensational form, smashing 9 sixes to score an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls. His efforts were complemented by Tilak Varma’s blistering 120 not out off just 47 balls, propelling India to a formidable 283 for 1 in 20 overs—their highest total in overseas conditions.

The innings saw several records tumble, including two Indian batters scoring centuries in the same T20I for the first time. Samson and Varma shared a record-breaking 210-run partnership for the second wicket off just 93 balls, marking the highest partnership for India in T20 Internationals.

During South Africa’s chase, Arshdeep Singh delivered a stunning opening spell, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs and reducing the hosts to 10 for 4. South Africa was eventually bowled out for 148 in 18.2 overs.

Samson’s century, his third in the last five T20I innings, came off 51 balls, while Varma achieved his milestone in just 41 balls. Interestingly, Samson’s recent performances also include two ducks, showcasing a rollercoaster form.

Suryakumar Yadav Reflects on India’s Huge Win Over South Africa

November 16, 2024, 7:10 am

India secured a massive 135-run victory over South Africa in the fourth T20I in Johannesburg. This win sealed the series 3-1. Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the team’s focus and execution.

Good Habits Led the Way

Suryakumar said the team was not worried about the result. Instead, they focused on maintaining their good habits. The series was already in India’s favor at 2-1, but they wanted to finish strong.

“There’s no secret to adapting to the conditions and situations. Our plans were very clear as soon as we landed in Durban. Last time when we came here, we played the same brand of cricket and wanted to continue that. Though we were up 2-1 in the series, today we wanted to follow the good habits and not worry about the result,” Suryakumar explained.

Stellar Batting Performance

The skipper applauded Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma for their brilliant batting. They executed the team’s plan perfectly.

“It’s very difficult for me to choose one good knock from them, it was amazing batting skills displayed by them. We spoke about that and they literally walked the talk. When we toured last year, we knew there was something in this wicket once the lights were on and the temperature dropped,” he added.

India Sets a Huge Target

After winning the toss, Suryakumar chose to bat first. The decision paid off. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma built a solid 73-run partnership. Abhishek smashed 2 fours and 4 sixes before Lutho Sipamla dismissed him in the sixth over.

Then, Samson and Tilak Varma took control. Samson reached his century in just 51 balls. Shortly after, Tilak scored his second T20I hundred. Together, they added a record-breaking 210-run partnership.

India finished at a staggering 283/1. Samson scored 109 off 51 balls. Tilak stayed unbeaten with 120 off 47 deliveries. The South African bowlers struggled, with Sipamla taking the only wicket but conceding heavily.

South Africa Falls Apart

South Africa’s chase started poorly. While Tristan Stubbs (43 off 29 balls) and David Miller (36 off 27 balls) tried to fight back, the rest of the batting lineup crumbled.

Indian bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy bowled exceptionally well. They restricted South Africa to 148 with one over to spare.

Match Summary

India: 283/1 (20 Overs) Tilak Verma – 120*(47), Sanju Samson – 109*(56), Macro Jansen 1/42(4)
South Africa: 283/1 (20 Overs) Tristan Stubbs – 43(29), David Miller – 36(27), Arshdeep Singh – 3/20(3)

India’s powerful performance in Johannesburg highlighted their dominance. The team’s discipline and execution secured the series in style.

Jay Shah Hails Team India’s ‘Strong Character’ In Latest Performance, Highlights Sanju Samson’s Contribution

November 9, 2024, 5:33 pm

On Saturday, November 9, BCCI secretary Jay Shah complimented Team India for a landslide victory in the first T20I against South Africa, which was played on November 8 at Kingsmead in Durban. Under the guidance of Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian side scored a 61-run victory, thus gaining a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

The Indian set a target of 203 runs, propelled by Sanju Samson’s sensational 107 runs from 50 balls. South Africa was restricted to 141 runs, thanks to excellent spin bowling by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, who both claimed three wickets apiece.

Jay Shah posted: “Great start for the Men in Blue in the T20I series against the Proteas! A solid display of character from the young team in holding back a dangerous batting line-up in the chase. Special appreciation to @IamSanjuSamson for his second consecutive hundred in T20Is and the wrist spin of @chakaravarthy29 and Ravi Bishnoi, leading the team to a convincing victory! @BCCI.

Great start for the Men in Blue in the T20I series against the Proteas! A solid display of character from the young team in holding back a dangerous batting line-up in the chase. A special appreciation for @IamSanjuSamson for his second consecutive hundred in T20I's, and the… pic.twitter.com/SqTWaRYqfh

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) November 9, 2024

The blazing knock included seven fours and ten sixes for Samson as he put on 66 runs with Suryakumar Yadav for the second wicket and 77 runs with Tilak Varma for the third wicket.

South Africa’s chase they lost wickets regularly and Heinrich Klaasen top scored with 25, Gerald Coetzee for 23. Chakravarthy took three for 25 while Bishnoi finished with three for 28. Avesh Khan took two and Arshdeep Singh one wicket.

Samson Reflects on Decade-Long Wait After Historic 107 in T20I

November 9, 2024, 7:43 am

Sanju Samson feels both grateful and emotional over a milestone he has chased for a decade. Remarkably, the Indian batsman recently became the fourth player in T20I history to achieve consecutive centuries in back-to-back innings. Indeed, his recent form has secured his place in cricket history.

Outstanding Knock Against Bangladesh

In the third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson shined as he scored 107 off 50 balls. Notably, his powerful innings included seven fours and ten towering sixes. This knock set a new record for the highest individual T20I score between India and South Africa, surpassing David Miller’s 106 from 2022.

A Moment of Deep Emotion

Reflecting on his form, the 29-year-old shared his deep emotions. “If I think a lot, I will get emotional. I waited for this moment for 10 years. I’m very happy, grateful, and blessed,” Samson said after his impressive innings. Nevertheless, he added that he plans to “stay grounded” and “enjoy the moment.”

Leading India to Victory at Kingsmead

Samson’s stellar performance, moreover, laid the foundation for India’s success at Kingsmead. His efforts earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Speaking about his joy in playing with freedom, Samson emphasized the team’s aggressive approach. “I really enjoyed my time in the middle. It’s about making the most of my form,” he said. “We focus on being aggressive and putting the team first.”

Setting the Tone in South Africa

Importantly, Samson acknowledged the significance of his approach in a key match against South Africa. “After a few balls, you start looking for boundaries. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but today it paid off,” he explained. He also noted South Africa’s strength at home and emphasized the importance of starting the series on a high note.

Following their 61-run win, India now heads to Gqeberha for the second T20I on Sunday, eager to build on their strong opening performance.

Sanju Samson Opens Up On Advice From Gambhir & SKY: ‘Doubt Creep In After Sri Lanka Ducks, But…’

October 13, 2024, 5:33 pm

Sanju Samson lit up the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday night during the great century against Bangladesh. Since 2015, he had been knocking on the doors of international cricket; now, he had finally achieved his first T20I century and created a new record for himself as the Indian with the fastest century in T20Is. In fact, it was this one innings that propelled him to a match-winning 111 off just 47 deliveries, inclusive of 11 fours and eight sixes – six of them in one over-which powered India to a huge total of 297-the highest ever by any side in T20I cricket and the second-highest globally.

The knock from Sanju helped India reach a total of 297, now recorded as the second-highest score in T20I history. Speaking about his match, Samson said that he has learned how to handle pressure after a tricky phase in his career.

As a batsman, you have to keep being aggressive, keep looking at the scoring options, and the risk is high. And when the risk is high, definitely there are a lot of failures also. So with all the experience and with so many years of playing IPL and playing international cricket, I have somehow learned to cope with the pressure and the failures,” he said.

He thanked captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir for believing in him at a time when two successive ducks over the Sri Lanka tour in July did not seem very flattering. The 29-year-old admitted that he was not sure if he would get another chance, but credits the team management for standing by him.

A lot of credit goes to the dressing room, the leadership group. I think the captain and the coach have been backing me like anything. I was a bit doubtful after a couple of ducks in Sri Lanka that I will be getting a chance in the next series. But they backed me and kept on saying that we will back you no matter what.

He ended by promising that the team would stick to playing aggressive cricket, saying: “I think we have committed as a batting group to go out and dominate every game we play in this format. So as a team, we are doing it and I am very grateful that I did something good for the team today.”

Shubman Gill Jokes About Captaincy, Sanju Samson Highlights Team India’s Unity After Zimbabwe Series Win

July 15, 2024, 6:29 pm

Shubman Gill scored his first international century for India in the Zimbabwe series. While Sanju Samson, who is a hard hitter, returned to the Indian team post ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and eventually made his international debut in Zimbabwe. For many years, the Zimbabwe series has been special for Indian cricketers because it shows the transitioning of these players from being freshers to senior players periodically. The latest edition, captained by Shubman Gill under the stewardship of VVS Laxman, witnessed India winning a memorable series.

In the fifth and final T20I at Harare Sports Club, Sanju Samson played another vital innings, scoring 58 runs off 35 balls, as he put on a stand of 65 runs for the fourth wicket along with Riyan Parag, who contributed 22 runs. This helped India get to a formidable total of 167-6 in 20 overs. Another convincing victory, this time by 42 runs against Zimbabwe, wrapped up the series 4-1 for India. Glancing at this victory, vice-captain Samson put forward his opinions on the excellence of India’s bowlers.

Reactions & celebrations! ? ?

That's a Wrap from Zimbabwe! ? #TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/ZjrUw2Hns2

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 15, 2024

“We were three wickets down, so I knew I needed to stitch a partnership with Riyan. Fortunately, we did that and set up a competitive total to defend. Our bowlers were really good in their planning and execution. You can’t really ask for more from them; they know very clearly what their roles are,” Samson told BCCI during an interview. He cited the camaraderie in the team as a brotherly feeling that helps them perform better on the field.

Team captain Shubman Gill admitted that the series was full of ups and downs after losing the opening match against Zimbabwe by 13 runs. However, they recovered hard to win all the remaining four games of the series. All-rounder Washington Sundar was adjourned the Player of the Series for his consistent performances.

“Sometimes we need to tighten our game, which is very important in these kinds of tournaments. I have represented most of these boys at different levels, so captaincy wasn’t that tough for me. My maiden international ton here in Zimbabwe and winning the series as a captain, it’s very special to me,” Gill said. If asked to sum up his experience of the series in one word, Gill described it in one word: spectacular.

The next challenge for India will come against Sri Lanka in an upcoming six-match series and continue the journey of Indian cricket, enriched with new challenges and triumphs.

Will Sanju Samson Replace Shivam Dube In India’s Lineup Against Bangladesh?

June 22, 2024, 4:24 pm

India may consider changes to their playing XI for the second Super 8 match against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for Saturday in Antigua. A win against Bangladesh would virtually secure India’s spot in the semi-finals, following their victory over Afghanistan in the first Group 1 match.

Despite a convincing 47-run win over Afghanistan on Thursday, India faced initial challenges when openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to make significant contributions once again. Rishabh Pant and Shivan Dube made modest scores of 20 and 10 respectively, before Suryakumar Yadav’s 53 and Hardik Pandya’s crucial 32 stabilized the innings.

India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah with three wickets each, ensured a comfortable victory.

Batting remains a concern for India, as highlighted by their recent matches against USA and Afghanistan, where Suryakumar Yadav’s half-centuries rescued them after top and middle-order failures.

Despite this, India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour confirmed that Virat Kohli, who has scored only 29 runs in four matches, will continue to open for India. Consequently, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to remain on the bench.

“Obviously we want him to score but even when he hasn’t, the others have chipped in, which is a good sign. But Virat stays at the top of the order and we know he will get the runs,” Rathour said on the eve of India’s match.

However, the main concern for India is that captain Rohit Sharma is currently struggling with form.

Regarding the middle order, there have been suggestions to replace Shivam Dube with Sanju Samson to strengthen the batting. This is an area where many anticipate India might make a change. However, Dube, batting at No. 5, is expected to retain his role as a finisher, whereas Samson typically opens or bats higher up the order. This could once again work in Dube’s favor.

Apart from this potential change, India is likely to maintain the rest of their lineup from the Afghanistan match. They already made one alteration in that game by replacing Mohammed Siraj with spinner Kuldeep Yadav to suit the spin-friendly conditions in West India. The Indian team is expected to stick with the same bowling attack, which includes two left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

India likely XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Bangladesh likely XI: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman

Sanju Samson in for Shivam Dube? Big Selection Call Looms Over Rohit Sharma Ahead of IND vs USA

June 12, 2024, 2:04 pm

The T20 World Cup 2024 continues to deliver exciting matches, with the hosts, the United States Of America, facing India in the 25th match. Both teams have won their two games and are eager to secure a spot in the Super 8 stage with another victory.

India enters the match as the favorites, but USA has displayed impressive cricket, especially after their stunning win against Pakistan. India cannot afford to underestimate USA, considering their recent performances.

The pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York has favored pacers, prompting India to maintain their pace attack, with Hardik Pandya playing a significant role as the fourth seamer. The spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav have not been heavily involved yet, and while there’s a chance Kuldeep might come in, India may opt to retain their batting depth given the challenging batting conditions.

The top four batting positions seem settled, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opening, followed by Pant at 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at number 4. However, Shivam Dube’s recent struggles might pave the way for Sanju Samson to get a chance in the playing XI. Dube, however, might receive another opportunity to showcase his skills, given the tough batting conditions where no batter has managed to score big.

With the majority of the team likely to remain unchanged, it will be interesting to see how Rohit Sharma and his team tackle the challenge posed by a resilient USA side in their own backyard.

“Love to Look at Things in Positive Manner”: Sanju Samson Ahead of ICC T20 WC 2024 Opener

June 4, 2024, 5:01 am

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, ahead of their opener against Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, emphasized his positive outlook on both failures and successes throughout his career.

Despite facing ups and downs since his international debut in 2014, Samson remains optimistic. His T20 statistics, while not stellar, showcase his potential, with standout performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), notably his career-best IPL season with Rajasthan Royals.

Reflecting on his journey, Samson acknowledged the importance of learning from setbacks, particularly during times of youth and success. He expressed gratitude for his natural talent and credited his IPL experience for mental fortitude and inspiration from senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Samson highlighted his adaptability as a key attribute, recognizing the necessity of evolving with changing conditions, both on and off the field. As India gears up for the T20 World Cup, Samson’s focus remains on contributing to the team’s success.

India’s campaign in the tournament, starting with the match against Ireland, holds significance as they seek to break their ICC trophy drought. With a balanced squad led by Rohit Sharma, India aims to clinch victory in the highly anticipated clashes ahead, including the much-anticipated encounter against Pakistan.

As Samson and his teammates prepare for the challenges ahead, they carry the hopes of a nation eager to see them secure a major ICC title once again.

‘You’re Not A Newbie. Start Winning Games For India’: Gambhir On Sanju Samson

May 16, 2024, 3:58 pm

Sanju Samson after his first World Cup call-up, received a powerful message from Gautam Gambhir.

After ten years, Sanju Samson is now a member of India’s World Cup team. When Samson was one of the 15 people to purchase a ticket to the USA and the West Indies, he finally realized his dream after years of disappointment and being burdened by a series of uneven returns. Samson received recognition for his outstanding IPL performance as well as his most recent Indian matches, in which he scored his first century in ODIs against South Africa in December of last year.

Furthermore, India needed a backup wicketkeeper after Rishabh Pant returned from a protracted injury, and Samson would be the best person to take the hammer.

Sanju Samson is currently a part of India’s World Cup squad, having been absent for ten years. After years of despair and being plagued by a string of unequal returns, Samson finally fulfilled his ambition when he was one of the 15 people to purchase a ticket to the USA and the West Indies. In addition to his most recent Indian matches, in which he scored his first century in ODIs against South Africa in December of last year, Samson was recognized for his remarkable IPL performance. Besides, Samson would be the ideal option to take the fall when Rishabh Pant returned from a lengthy injury, and India required a backup wicketkeeper.

“Now that you’ve gotten picked in the World Cup team, you have that opportunity—the kind that you need to make sure you start winning games for India if you get the chance. You have that experience of playing international cricket. You are not a newbie that you will wait any longer,” Gambhir told SportsKeeda.

You have tasted international cricket and you’ve done well in the IPL, and now you have the chance to play the World Cup. So, hopefully, Sanju shows the world what he is capable of at this stage. International cricket, that too in a stage like the World Cup, when you flourish, the whole world watches and takes note.”

Samson has been in red-hot form for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. The recent slump of the franchise aside, Samson was instrumental in taking RR into the Playoffs by leading from the front, scoring 504 runs from 13 matches, including five half-centuries. He is currently sixth in the Orange Cap list behind Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Travis Head, Riyan Parag and Sai Sudarshan.

Gambhir looked back at the time when Samson had just emerged onto the scene. In 2012, when Gambhir, as captain, led KKR to their maiden IPL triumph, Samson was part of the squad but didn’t play a game. Twelve years is a long time ago, but even then, it did not take Gambhir time to recognise Samson’s potential. Gambhir recently confessed that letting Suryakumar Yadav go remains his only regret, but in hindsight, Samson possibly falls in the same bracket.

“Just the quality of a player. I don’t need to see much. Five minutes are enough to figure out what kind of a player he is,” Gambhir said. “Mentally, you always grow, and skill-wise as well. Otherwise, if you get stagnant, you won’t be able to survive for too long. The good thing is be it fitness, power-hitting, keeping or captaincy… he has not put a foot wrong. Through captaincy, you start accessing, judging better, reading better. That is when you also become a better batter. I hope Samson’s captaincy reflects on his batting at the T20 World Cup if he gets a chance.”

IPL 2024: DC Keep Playoffs Hope Alive With 20-run Win Over Rajasthan Royals

May 7, 2024, 11:53 pm

IPL 2024: In a pivotal match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kuldeep Yadav’s impactful 17th over and Mukesh Kumar’s timely wickets propelled Delhi Capitals (DC) to a 20-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR), keeping DC’s playoff hopes alive. Kuldeep’s remarkable over, conceding only four runs and taking two wickets, turned the game in DC’s favor. This allowed them to capitalize on the final overs and secure a crucial win.

Despite Rajasthan’s aggressive start in the chase of 222, with Jos Buttler joining as an impact substitute, they struggled against DC’s bowling attack. Sanju Samson’s aggressive innings of 86 runs was not enough to secure victory for Rajasthan. Mukesh Kumar’s crucial wickets, including that of Samson, sealed the win for DC. The victory was significant for DC’s playoff aspirations, bolstering their position in the league standings.

Earlier, DC put up a formidable total of 221/8, with Abhishek Porel’s explosive knock of 63 and Jake Fraser McGurk’s brisk 50 setting the tone for their innings. Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as the standout bowler for Rajasthan, claiming 3 wickets for 24 runs. Overall, DC’s dominant performance secured them a crucial win in the IPL encounter against Rajasthan Royals, showcasing their resilience and determination in the tournament.

Selectors Mull Over Sanju Samson, Shubham Gill for T20 World Cup

April 30, 2024, 2:16 pm

The senior selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar has arrived in Ahmedabad to finalize India’s T20 World Cup.

They are likely to discuss the inclusion of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill in the team.

However, there is a catch when it comes to Sanju Samson’s spot in the T20 squad. The management is looking for an on-board wicketkeeper who can play in the lower order or middle order as India already has a top-heavy batting lineup. As a result, Samson’s position in the squad is not yet guaranteed.

Which means that Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma are under consideration, as KL Rahul is set to miss out.

Shubham Gill too isn’t assured of his spot, as with inclusion of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the mix, India doesn’t need another similar player. Meaning the opener might end up in the reserves. However, Rinku Singh is most likely to be the extra batsmen in side.

As a result, Yashwi Jaiswal is being considered over Gill, as he has been performing consistently well across formats for India since his international debut. He has a strike rate of 161.94, with four half centuries to his name. And has also scored 502 runs at an average of 33.47.

However, with numbers 5, 6, and 7 being specialist roles in the T20 format, where finishers are crucial, the team management believes that players who are adept at these positions should be selected for the World Cup. That’s how Jitesh Sharma came into the picture, despite not making any headwinds at IPL.

Similarly, Dhruv Jurel too is the part of discussions, as he performed remarkably well in the 5-test series against England. He has also made unbeaten 52 under pressure. As for Rishabh Pant, he’s expected to be the part of the middle order, and is a left-hander.

What About the All-rounders?

With India in need of Six bowling options and in need of a depth in the batting line-up. They are set to carry minimum three all-rounders out of 15.

Hardik Pandya will be most likely to keep his spot as he’s a certified all-rounder despite his form being a concern. There are less options for now. Shivam Dube is expected to be the part of the team as a power-hitter.

But with CSK not using him as a bowler, there are apprehensions him is being an all-rounder. But with less options, Dube still remains a choice as a player as a batsman who could bowl few overs.

Status of Selection Meeting

Ajit Agarkar who has just returned from the holiday, had recently had a meeting with the captain of the team Rohit Sharma. On the sidelines of Mumbai Indians’s match against Delhi capitals.

Most likely, Rohit will join the meeting through video conference from Lucknow. The entire committee will also meet the coach on Tuesday.

And it remains to be seen how samson or gill will fit in the team considering the Indian team management has already talked to the selection committee about their needs.