Sanju Samson smashed a blazing century in a Kerala Cricket League match between Kochi Blue Tigers and Aries Kollam Sailors at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (August 24).
Batting first, the Aries Kollam Sailors scored 236-5, the highest total in the tournament. Vishnu Vinod (94 off 41) and captain Sachin Baby (91 off 44) were the two architects of the record score.
In response, the Kochi Blue Tigers got off to a stunning start, reaching 64 in 4.1 overs for the first wicket. Samson brought up his fifty off just 16 balls, the fastest ever in the KCL, breaking the previous record of 22 balls set by Abdul Basith. Astonishingly, 48 of those 50 runs came in boundaries (nine fours and two sixes). Samson continued to press the accelerator and reached his century 26 balls later. He eventually made 121 off 51 balls, hitting a total of 14 fours and seven sixes.
An outrageous Sanju Samson knock. ✊#KCLSeason2 #KCL2025 pic.twitter.com/PbRwnRECfe
— Kerala Cricket League (@KCL_t20) August 24, 2025
The match went down to the wire, with the Tigers needing 17 off the last over to win. Muhammad Ashik started with a four and a six to bring the equation down to seven runs required from four balls. However, some tight bowling from Sharafuddeen meant six were needed off the final delivery. Ashik hit it over long-on to seal a thrilling chase, finishing unbeaten on 45 off 18.
Samson bounces back after a difficult start
The Tigers' third consecutive win this year put them at the top of the points table. This was only the second time Samson had batted in the tournament. Against Alleppey Ripples, he had struggled to 13 off 22 balls before being dismissed by Jalaj Saxena.
Samson, who was named the brand ambassador of the tournament when it was launched last year, didn’t play the inaugural season. In the recent auction, he was bought for a record INR 26.80 lakh, making him the most expensive player in the KCL.
Recently, he was selected in India’s squad for their upcoming Asia Cup campaign. Having struck three T20I hundreds as an opener in five innings across October and November last year, Samson’s form then dipped; he managed just 51 runs at an average of 10.20 and a strike rate of 118.60 in his next five innings.'
With Shubman Gill’s return to India’s T20I side, pressure was mounting on Samson. However, this knock should allow him to heave a sigh of relief and keep his stake for a spot in India’s playing XI strong.
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