Indian cricketer Sanju Samson has been making headlines recently, from discussions about his potential departure from Rajasthan Royals to speculations about his exclusion from the Asia Cup squad. Amidst these developments, Samson has been showcasing his batting prowess, smashing boundaries and sixes, keeping fans engaged. However, despite his explosive performances, Samson will miss the opportunity to win the Kerala Cricket League trophy. His team, the Kochi Blue Tigers, has secured a place in the final.
The lineup for the Kerala Cricket League 2025 season final was finalized on Friday, September 5th. Following the completion of both semi-finals, Aries Kollam Sailors and Kochi Blue Tigers qualified for the championship match. In the first semi-final, Kollam dominated Thrissur Titans, winning by 10 wickets. The Titans were bowled out for a mere 86 runs, a target Kollam achieved in just 10 overs.
The second semi-final was contested between the Tigers and Calicut Globestars. Kochi Tigers batted first in this match, but they were without Sanju Samson. Samson had departed for Dubai to join the Indian team for the Asia Cup before the semi-final. Nevertheless, the team compensated for his absence, with Nikhil Thottath’s explosive innings of 64 runs, which included 7 sixes, helping the team reach 186 runs. Muhammad Ashiq also contributed with a quickfire 31 runs off 10 balls.
In response, Calicut could only manage 171 runs. Akhil Scaria scored 72 runs off just 37 balls, but it was not enough to secure the win for his team. Kochi won the match by 15 runs and advanced to the final. Ashiq, who impressed with his batting, also performed well with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs.
Kochi will be without Sanju Samson in the final scheduled for Sunday, September 7th. Although the team won the semi-final without him, the final will not be an easy challenge. Samson will also miss out on the chance to win the title for his team. He was the highest run-scorer for the team this season, scoring 368 runs in just 6 matches with an average of 73 and a strike rate of 186, which included 30 sixes and 24 fours. Samson’s focus will now be on the Asia Cup, where he could play a crucial role.
