Sanju Samson is back in form. In one ball, Samson struck 13 runs. The naturally talented batter displayed some inspiring strokes while batting for Kochi Blue Tigers on Match 11 of KCL 2025 against Thrissur Titans today (August 26, 2025). Rajasthan Royals shares the video from their official social media account.

Sanju was up against the Thrissur Titans captain and spinner Sijomon when he smashed back-to-back two over boundaries—the first boundary through the off side and the second boundary through the on side. Samson, with his skills, made both of the shots comfortable for the eyes. The first six he hit were over the extra cover region, which was a no ball too. Then, in the next delivery, Samson again got enough room to free his arms. This time he hoisted the overlongregion for another six. Thus, with the help of the no ball, the keeper-batter added 13 runs in 1 ball for the Kochi Blue Tigers.

Samson was in full swing from the beginning of the match. Before heading back to the pavilion, the top-order batter scored 89 off 46, powered by four 4s and nine 6s. As a collective effort, the Tigers registered 188 for 7 on the scoreboard, batting first. Sijomon did not dare to complete his 4-over quota. Without taking any scalps, the spinner leaked 32 runs in 3 overs, the economy rate ticking over 10.

List of batters who've scored 13 runs off one ball:

1) JC Gada
2) SV Samson pic.twitter.com/QWNFE1qzDv

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 26, 2025

Read More: Sahibzada Farhan vs Sanju Samson statistical comparison ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 clash

The innings right before Asia Cup 2025

After the destructive innings, Sanju is leading the top run-scorers list of the ongoing Kerala Cricket League 2025 with 197 runs, maintaining a strike rate of 184.1. His form and precise batting will definitely boost up his confidence ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.

Samson had to face some criticisms at the beginning of the KCL because of his inconsistency. For the Tigers, the top-order batter once came to bat as a middle-order batsman and missed his flair. After playing a short, sluggish innings, Samson lost his wicket cheaply. After going back to his original batting position, the 30-year-old again regained his form.

Sanju Samson is in splendid form in the ongoing Kerala Cricket League 2025. On August 26, he scored a magnificent half century to keep Kochi Blue Tigers in the hunt. He came in to open the innings and scored 89 runs off just 46 deliveries. Moreover he reached the fifty run mark in just 26 balls and scored the next 39 runs in just 20 balls. His innings was laced with four boundaries and nine maximums. He batted with a strike rate of 193.48.

He eventually got out to Ajinas K as he was trying to put the ball behind the fence and was caught by Anand Krishnan. Unfortunately, no other batsman could help Samson in his cause and he fought the lone battle, the next big score came from the bat of Muhammed Shanu, as he scored 24 runs off 29 balls with the help of four boundaries. With help of Samson’s splendid innings, Kochi managed to post a fighting total of 188/7 at the end of 20 overs.

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For Thrissur Titans, Ajinas dazzled with a five wicket haul. He bowled four overs and gave away just 30 runs with an economy rate of 7.5. Anand Joseph and Sibin Gireesh shared one wicket each. It is worth noting that Kochi are on the top of the points table with three wins in as many games. Thrissue on the other hand, have played three games and lost one. Their sole loss came at the end of Aries Kollam Sailor in their last game.

Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence on September 9, and cricket fans will witness the India vs. Pakistan clash on September 14, five days after the inauguration of the tournament. Both of the nation’s cricket boards have already announced their full squad, on pen and paper, and both teams are looking strong. Though, due to recent performances, India will be the favorite to win the game, but Pakistan will definitely try their best to challenge Team India hard. Both the teams have talented keeper-batters who can open their innings. For India, it is Sanju Samson, and for Pakistan, it is Sahibzada Farhan. Between these two top-order keeper-batters, to determine who is the better, we have to do a statistical breakdown. 

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson, 30, is already an established name in world cricket. So far he has played 42 T20Is after making his debut on July 19, 2015, in this particular format for India. In 42 matches and 38 innings, the right-handed batter has gathered a total of 861 runs at an average of 25.32. 3 hundreds and a couple of half centuries are the proofs of his batting brilliance. Samson’s highest score, 111, was against Bangladesh at Hyderabad on October 12, 2024. The other two hundreds he scored were against South Africa, which shows his ability to bat even against top-ranked teams. Interestingly, Sanju never played against Pakistan in a T20I match.

Samson's T20I career stats in brief:

Sahibzada Farhan

The top order keeper-batter from Pakistan can be considered a late bloomer. Unlike Sanju Samson, 29-year-old Farhan has so far represented Pakistan in only 15 T20Is. His recent outings against the West Indies and Bangladesh were impressive and earned him a spot on the 2025 Asia Cup Pakistan cricket team. Scoring a couple of fifty-plus innings implies his skills in subcontinent conditions. Sahibzada made his T20 International debut on July 8, 2018, against Australia, where he only got a duck. A couple of months later, when Pakistan again faced Australia in a T20I encounter, that time in Dubai, the right-handed batter scored 39 runs. In his last T20I, which was against Bangladesh in Lauderhill, he got a well-played 74. 

Read More: List of Top 5 batters since 1990 who took most balls to dismiss in Australia ft. Cheteshwar Pujara

Farhan's T20I career stats in brief:

Sanju Samson vs Sahibzada Farhan T20I statistical comparison: 

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had their worst-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2025, finishing last on the table for the first time ever. The team finished with only four victories and collected only eight points, and their historical tactic of simply relying on experienced and all-rounders did not pan out at all. CSK struggled with all areas of the game - batting, bowling, and fielding. Toward the end of the campaign, stand-in skipper MS Dhoni hinted at major changes in the squad. Despite the poor run, a few youngsters impressed in limited chances. Adding to the buzz, rumours suggest Sanju Samson may move from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to CSK ahead of IPL 2026.

Reports from The Indian Express revealed that Samson had already met CSK’s management and head coach Stephen Fleming during the Major League Cricket season. Rajasthan Royals, however, are believed to have asked for two players from Chennai in exchange for their star wicketkeeper-batter. This demand has complicated matters for CSK, who are reportedly evaluating whether to move forward with such a deal. Given the situation, the five-time champions could instead explore an all-cash transaction to secure Samson, avoiding the risk of losing valuable squad members.

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Heading into 2026, CSK also face uncertainties around leadership. While MS Dhoni’s future remains unclear, full-time captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled with both form and captaincy. The franchise also battled inconsistency in their opening partnerships, experimenting with four different combinations through the season. This instability has intensified speculation about the need for a reliable top-order batter like Samson. However, former RR teammate R Ashwin recently suggested that Samson’s move might not succeed, noting CSK’s reluctance to trade players, especially at a value as high as INR 18 crore.

Why CSK will not bid for Sanju Samson in upcoming mini auction?

Sanju Samson’s inclusion in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may not solve their problems and could, in fact, create new ones. Samson usually bats in the top order, a space already crowded with options like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rachin Ravindra, 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, and New Zealand’s Devon Conway. Rising talent Urvil Patel, who impressed with cameos in IPL 2025, also strengthens the wicketkeeping department alongside Conway. With Ruturaj’s potential shift to No. 3 or No. 4, fitting Samson into the batting lineup becomes a difficult challenge for the team.

Adding to the concerns, Samson’s record at CSK’s home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium, has been underwhelming. In 11 innings, he has scored only 134 runs at an average of 12.18, including a duck. His strike rate of 100.75 further highlights his struggles at Chepauk, where he has never managed to score a half-century or a hundred. Such poor statistics raise doubts about his ability to perform consistently on CSK’s home turf.

Samson’s captaincy record at Chepauk also doesn’t inspire confidence. Out of three matches he has led there, two ended in defeats, with his only win coming narrowly by three runs. With such numbers, CSK’s management may think twice before pursuing him. Considering the franchise’s reliance on player compatibility and home-ground advantage, Samson’s poor performances in Chennai could weigh heavily against his chances of joining the five-time champions for the IPL 2026 season.

The previous contest of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) 2025 saw a thrilling contest between the Kochi Blue Tigers and Aries Kollam Sailors at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. During the second innings of the encounter, in the 237-run chase, Sanju Samson smashed a fine knock of 121 runs in 51 balls at a strike rate of 237.25. 

The wicket-keeper batter, Sanju Samson, has been picked in India’s Asia Cup 15-member squad. However, with the inclusion and responsibility of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, Samson is unlikely to get into the playing eleven of the side, as Jitesh Sharma could get a chance at number six in the batting department.

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“It’s not easy to lose a game in front of your home crowd. So I thank all the people who turned up in huge numbers.” The wicket-keeper opening batter, Sanju Samson, expressed his thoughts on the post-match presentation as he was impressed with the 11000 crowd that turned up to watch the match and sent a message to the youngsters and the fans.

Sanju Samson eyes special players for India from KCL 2025 and local leagues

The 30-year-old has smashed 861 runs in 38 innings of the T20Is at an average of 25.32 and a strike rate of 152.38, with the help of three centuries and two half-centuries at the best score of 111 runs. In T20s, the right-handed batter has clubbed 7629 runs in 291 innings at an average of below 30 and a strike rate of 137.01.

“To be very honest, I’m not much aware of the boys. It’s a bit shocking to see we have so much talent in Kerala cricket. I request that we put in some special eyes in the local games going on, especially for all the players. In the next one or two years, we should see one more guy playing for the country. And I can see that happening. With this talent, I don’t think that we are very far away.” Samson shed light during he interaction.

The century has been a strong message to the management from Samson, opening the batting, as he struggled with a sluggish knock of 22-ball 13 in the previous game in the middle order.

In KCL 2025 the eighth match will feature Kochi Blue Tigers taking on Aries Kollam Sailors on Sunday 24 August at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Kochi Blue Tigers had an impressive start to their season and they defeated Adani Trivandrum Royals by eight wickets. Kochi Blue Tigers will first play Alleppey Ripples prior to meeting the Sailors and will look to carry a winning attitude forward and increase their standing in the league table. The Tigers are determined to continue their winning streak after strong performances.

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The Aries Kollam Sailors team led by Sachin Baby started the season competitively - beginning with a one-wicket thriller victory against Calicut Globstars. Sailors were not able to repeat the performance that propelled them to victory against the Globstars, and sadly, lost by four wickets against Adani Trivandrum Royals. Sailors will look to have a convincing performance against the Tigers to regain momentum and find their rhythm against the competition.

Kochi Blue Tigers vs Aries Kollam Sailors, Match 8: Live Streaming Details

Kochi Blue Tigers vs Aries Kollam Sailors, Match 8: Probable Playing XI

Kochi Blue Tigers

Saly Viswanath(c), Sanju Samson, Vinoop Manoharan, Nikhil Thottath(w), Jobin Joby, Alfi Francis John, Muhammad Ashik, Akhin Sathar, KM Asif, Rakesh KJ, Jerin PS

Aries Kollam Sailors

Sachin Baby(c), Vishnu Vinod(w), Abhishek Nair, Vathsal Govind, M Sajeevan Akhil, Sharafuddeen, Rahul Sharma, Amal AG, Eden Apple Tom, Biju Narayanan, Pavan Raj

Is Sanju Samson's opening slot at risk? The question has started to float ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Today (August 23, 2025), the keeper-batter came to bat at the number 5 position for Kochi Blue Tigers against Alleppey Ripples during a Kerala Cricket League (KCL) match.

Samson, mostly known as an opener, remained ineffective in the new role in the middle order, as the right-handed batter could add only 13 runs off 22 balls. Rather than his well-known batting approach, Sanju played a sluggish innings, without finding the rope at least once.

The inclusion of Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2025 is considered a vital call from the BCCI selectors, as the batsman is another natural opener in the squad along with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Shubman's presence in the squad raised a question among cricket fans: will the team management be going to push Sanju in the middle order to allow Gill to open the innings for India?

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An unusual Sanju Samson before Asia Cup 2025

The question sparked again when Samson walked into the field for Kochi Blue Tigers as the number 5 batter. Because of his batting credibility, the keeper-batter is always surrounded by high hopes. Throughout his professional cricket career, he has had to deal with a lack of consistency. Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, his unimpressive performance as a middle-order batsman can be a reason to raise concerns again. The top-order batter was not up to the mark during the previous few T20Is with Team India. 

Sanju Samson's last 5 T20Is:

26 vs England, Eden Gardens 

5 vs.l England, Chennai 

3 vs England, Rajkot 

1 vs England, Pune 

16 vs England vs Wankhede 

The Kerala Cricket League (KCL) 2025 moves forward with Match No. 5 as the Kochi Blue Tigers take on the Alleppey Ripples at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, August 23. Kochi Blue Tigers are riding high on confidence after securing a dominant eight-wicket victory against Adani Trivandrum Royals. With momentum on their side, they will aim to replicate their winning form and further strengthen their campaign. The Tigers will rely on their batting depth and disciplined bowling to deliver another strong performance.

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On the other hand, Alleppey Ripples will enter this contest after facing Thrissur Titans in their previous fixture. They will be keen to gain momentum and make a mark against the Kochi-based side. With both teams eager to secure valuable points, the clash promises to be competitive. The Ripples will look to rely on their balanced squad to challenge the Tigers and turn the tide in their favour, making this encounter an exciting battle.

Kochi Blue Tigers vs Alleppey Ripples, Match 5: Live Streaming Details

Kochi Blue Tigers vs Alleppey Ripples, Match 5: Probable Playing XI

Kochi Blue Tigers

Saly Viswanath(c), Sanju Samson, Vinoop Manoharan, Nikhil Thottath(w), Jobin Joby, Alfi Francis John, Muhammad Ashik, Akhin Sathar, KM Asif, Rakesh KJ, Jerin PS

Alleppey Ripples

Jalaj Saxena, Akshay Chandran, Mohammed Azharuddeen(w/c), Abhishek P Nair, Anuj Jotin, Akshay TK, Sreeroop MP, Balu Babu, Aadithya Baiju, Sreehari S Nair, Nedumankuzhy Basil

With Shubman Gill becoming the vice-captain of the Indian side for the Asia Cup 2025, it’s confirmed that he will feature in all the encounters of the event. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson opened the batting for the Blue Brigade during the last 12 T20Is, which has gelled them beautifully. But if Gill comes into the eleven, then he will either open or bat at three.

Abhishek Sharma has already earned so much success for the national side in the shortest format. The southpaw has smashed overall 535 runs in 16 innings of the T20Is at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 193.84, with the help of two fifties and two centuries at the best score of 135 runs. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, has given his view on the squad.

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“Gill and Sanju - two very good opening options to have alongside Abhishek Sharma. Captain & Coach will take the call after reaching Dubai.”- Agarkar expressed during the recent press conference after announcing the 15-member squad.

BCCI selector confirmed Abhishek Sharma to open India’s batting in Asia Cup 2025

Samson struggled during India’s last five-match T20I series against England at home with rhythm. The Kerala-born managed 861 runs in 38 innings at an average of 25.32 and a strike rate of 152.38 with the help of two fifties and three centuries at the best score of 111. If he gets into the side, then they won’t need to pick Jitesh Sharma as the wicket-keeper.

For Gill, it’s bound that he would play at the top order. If he comes down at three, then perhaps Tilak Verma will have to make way. Because the line-up is settled with Suryakumar Yadav at four, followed by Hardik Pandya and all-rounders, Gill is likely to bat at number three.

India will start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10 before they face Pakistan, their arch-rivals, on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, this team is expected to remain almost the same for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) can go all out for Sanju Samson; even if he gets to the mini auction, there the franchise will be prepared with a fat money bag, recent reports claimed. 

Speculations regarding Sanju Samson's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are touching the roof. Claims from various sources have already said that the keeper-batter is all set to leave Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of IPL 2026.

Needless to say, if Sanju finally leaves the Rajasthan-based franchise, then there will be a lot of buyers for him. As of now, the final report about his departure from Rajasthan Royals is yet to come. Before that, there are perhaps already existing interests from multiple franchises to secure the services of the star player. A few reports published before claimed Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are the two franchises most interested in Samson.

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What is the current situation?

Now, the situation might have slightly changed. Latest claims suggest that KKR may have the strongest desire to secure the signing of the top-order keeper-batsman, who has leadership qualities as well. For that, they can consider a swap-plus-cash deal or a pure cash deal. If neither of their offers works and Sanju goes to the auction, then the Purple Brigade can be there in the auction house with a heavy purse. For a swap deal, KKR can offer only Ramandeep Singh plus some cash to Rajasthan Royals, as reports claimed. 

🚨SANJU SAMSON-KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS 🚨

It could be a player plus cash deal or a full cash deal. If not, Samson might join the auction — KKR is prepared with a large purse.

However, RR is eager for a deal, so they are making significant efforts to make it happen, but KKR… pic.twitter.com/dOLT3syqWz

— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) August 16, 2025

KKR had a setback in IPL 2025. They were the defending champions but could not qualify for the top four. They can consider some changes in the squad for the upcoming IPL season.