Photo via Hindustan Times

Sanju Samson breaks free in Ranchi to end lean patch with 41-ball 82

Sanju Samson turned a recent run of poor form into a statement performance in Ranchi, smashing an unbeaten 82 off 41 balls to rescue India from a lean patch in T20Is. The wicketkeeper-batter had managed just 9, 7, 2, and 11 in his previous four innings, but his aggressive start—including a six off a no-ball—set the tone for India’s 249/5 total.

Samson’s 50 came off 21 balls, and he paired with Ishan Kishan (43) for a 97-run partnership, stabilizing the innings after Abhishek Sharma’s early exit (20). Though pressure had mounted with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waiting in the wings, Samson’s explosive return mirrored his T20 World Cup knockout performances (97, 89, 80) and silenced doubts about his consistency in the format.

He dismissed concerns about his recent struggles, emphasizing that T20’s unpredictability demands relentless aggression rather than patience, a mindset that defined his comeback effort.

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