The debate surrounding the ideal Team India lineup for the 2025 Asia Cup is ongoing, with particular interest in whether Shubman Gill will open in place of Sanju Samson. Samson, however, has made a resounding case for himself with an electrifying performance in the Kerala Cricket League. Playing for Kochi Blue Tigers, led by his brother, Sali Samson, the wicketkeeper-batsman scored a breathtaking century, leaving the bowlers struggling.
The remarkable innings occurred in Thiruvananthapuram against Kollam Sailors. Kochi faced a challenging target of 237 runs and needed a brisk start. Samson, recognizing this, opened the batting. This decision followed a brief experiment in the middle order during the previous two matches. His place at the top for the Asia Cup was uncertain, prompting this tactical shift. After the previous match’s disappointing performance in the middle order, Samson was determined to prove his mettle.
Having been a regular opener for India in the preceding year, Samson wasted no time, hitting boundaries from the outset. He struck four consecutive boundaries in the third over. In the fourth over, he smashed three fours and a six in four balls, reaching his fifty in just 16 deliveries. Continuing his aggressive play, Samson ensured his team reached 100 runs during the powerplay. He completed his whirlwind century in the 14th over, achieving the feat in just 42 balls. The innings included 13 fours and 5 sixes, making him only the second player this season to reach the triple-figure mark in the league.