Sanju Samson played a superb knock as his team won an exhibition match of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) on Friday (August 15).
Sanju Samson and Sachin
Baby, the two giants of Kerala cricket, represented the KCA Secretary's XI and KCA President's XI at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, the venue which will host the Kerala Cricket League Season 2, starting from August 21.
On the Independence Day evening, the Karyavattom Greenfield Stadium dazzled as its new state-of-the-art LED floodlights were inaugurated by MLA Kadakampally Surendran. Powered by 392 LEDs across four towers and a DMX control system, the launch featured a captivating laser and music show. The ₹18-crore project by KCA upgrades the venue to international and HD broadcasting standards. And after the inauguration of the floodlights, the match took place as top names of Kerala cricket participated in it.
KCA Exhibition Match - How it Happened
KCA President's XI posted 184/8 in their 20 overs, riding on explosive knocks from Rohan S Kunnumal (60 off 29, 5 fours, 4 sixes) and V Abhijith Praveen (47 off 18, 3 fours, 4 sixes). Early blows saw them at 49/3 inside 6 overs, with Mohammed Azharuddeen (1) and skipper Sachin Baby (0) departing cheaply. A late surge came from M D Nidheesh (29* off 22) and Abhijith. For KCA Secretary XI, Sharafudden was the pick of the bowlers (3/25), while Sijomon Joseph (2/35) provided key breakthroughs. Despite regular wickets, President XI's aggressive middle-order batting ensured a strong total, setting up an exciting chase. Sanju Samson fielded in the outfield as Punjab Kings player Vishnu Vinod was on duty behind the stumps.
In the run chase, Samson's Secretary XI had a blistering start, courtesy of Vishnu Vinod. The swashbuckling batter dazzled and decimated the bowlers. He scored 69 runs off just 29 deliveries, hitting 5 fours and 7 sixes in the process. Despite losing Krishna Prasad (8 off 6) and Shoun Roger (20 off 13), the Secretary's XI cruised into the run chase with a superb start.
Sanju Samson came into bat at no. 4 and played the decisive knock of the match. The India star took control of the chase for his team and played a well-decorated knock, despite losing wickets at the other end. With 13 needed off 8 balls and two wickets in hand, Samson came close to taking his team home. He scored 54 off 36 deliveries but got dismissed with his team needing just 3 runs for victory.
But Basil Thampi hit a six in the very next ball to seal a thrilling win for Secretary's XI, who won the match by 1 wicket with just two balls to spare.
KCA Exhibition Match Brief Scorecard
President's XI: 184/8 in 20 overs (Rohan Kunnumal 60, Abhijith Praveen 47; Sharafudden 3/25)
Secretary's XI: 188/9 in 19.4 overs (Vishnu Vinod 69, Sanju Samson 54; MD Nidheesh 2/38)
