‘13 runs off 1 ball’: Sanju Samson sends strong message amid doubts over Asia Cup 2025 final lineup spot

Sanju Samson smashed 13 runs off just 1 ball in the Kerala Cricket League 2025, scoring a blazing 89 for Kochi Blue Tigers. This comes amid rumours regarding Samson’s place as India’s opener for the Asia Cup 2025.

Sanju Samson is making sure the decision makers in the Indian team notice him. The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been picked for India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, showed his explosive form again in the ongoing Kerala Cricket League when he smashed 13 runs off just 1 ball for Kochi Blue Tigers against Thrissur Titans on Tuesday, August 26.

The moment came in the 5th over bowled by Sijomon Joseph. Samson hit the fourth ball over extra cover for six, which was later called a no-ball. On the free hit that followed, he smashed another six over the same region. With the no-ball run included, Samson collected 13 runs from a single legal delivery.

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Samson didn’t stop there. He went on to score 89 runs from only 46 balls, helping the Kochi Blue Tigers post 188/7 in 20 overs. Thrissur’s Ajinas K bowled well with figures of 5/30, but Samson’s innings was the difference in that innings. Despite Samson’s heroic effort, Thrissur Titans managed to snatch a 5-wicket win thanks to explosive knocks from Joseph and Arjun AK.

The Kerala star has been in red-hot form since being promoted as opener for the Blue Tigers. After a failure against Alleppey Ripples batting at No.6, he bounced back with a century against Aries Kollam Sailors and followed it up with Tuesday’s fireworks. Kochi signed Samson for Rs 26.8 lakh in July, the highest bid in the league’s history.

Samson’s place in Asia Cup lineup uncertain?

The big question now is about his role in the Indian team during the 2025 Asia Cup. Samson has mostly opened for India in T20Is recently, scoring three centuries in five games as an opener last year. But with Shubman Gill coming in as vice-captain and expected to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, there are doubts whether Samson will retain his place at the top of the order.

Gill was not even in the T20I plans last year, but his recent stint as Test captain in England has given selectors hope of making him an all-format skipper who could replace Rohit Sharma. Hence, he has been named the vice-captain for the Asia Cup. Axar Patel was made the vice-captain with Suryakumar Yadav as skipper after Rohit Sharma retired from the format following the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.

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But Axar has been dropped as SKY’s deputy for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, suggesting that the selectors may be looking at Gill for the future.

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