Sanju Samson shuts critics again with blistering knock, equals Kohli's record

Bouncing back in explosive fashion, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson delivered a high-impact knock of 82 off just 41 balls during the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi. Shrugging off a quiet 11-run outing in the series opener in Lucknow, Samson anchored India’s innings after being sent in to bat, firing 9 boundaries and 4 sixes at an impressive strike rate of 200.0.

The highlight of his innings was reaching a lightning-fast half-century in just 21 deliveries. This effort matched Virat Kohli’s 2019 milestone at the Wankhede Stadium for the joint-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batsman against the West Indies. CapitaliSing on two dropped catches—first on 6 and later on 42—Samson made the opposition pay heavily. He sealed his 21-ball record milestone in the final over of the powerplay, driving Romario Shepherd through extra-cover for consecutive boundaries.

Samson's blistering powerplay assault propelled India to 79/1 in the first six overs—their highest-ever powerplay total against the Caribbean team in T20Is. His relentless attack laid the foundation for India to post a formidable total of 249/5 in their 20 overs. Samson was eventually dismissed in the 15th over, caught by Nicholas Pooran off the bowling of Shamar Springer, having successfully silenced his critics with a masterclass in aggressive strokeplay. (Agencies)