After being omitted for the ODI series against Australia on Friday, October 17, Sanju Samson made a statement with a well-executed fifty against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy for Kerala. Samson was returning to first-class cricket with the red ball. after October 2024 as he was not part of the Duleep Trophy or Irani Cup squads.
The Kerala batsman, who was part of the Asia Cup winning team, scored a brave 54 off 63 balls to rescue his side twice during the first innings against Maharashtra. After bowling out their opponents for 239 in the first innings, Kerala were shooting at 35 for two when Samson walked out to bat. The wicket-keeper batsman first added 40 runs with Sachin Baby to steady the innings before the former Kerala skipper got to seven.
Samson continued a lone battle on the track where none of the other batsmen were able to cross the 50-run mark in the first innings. Samson got some support from Mohammed Azharudeen who scored 36 off 52 balls and they added 57 runs together. Samson was finally dismissed in the 34th over.
This will be the only Ranji Trophy game that Samson will play for now as he will be part of the T20I squad for the tour of Australia starting on October 29.
Kerala rallied for 219 as Maharashtra finished strong
Despite Samson’s efforts, Kerala failed to take the lead against Maharashtra and were bowled out for 219 runs. Once Samson fell, Azharudeen also fell quickly and they were left at 141 for six. Salman Nizar steadied the ship with 49 runs but the support from the lower order was not much.
Former Kerala player Jalaj Saxena picked up three wickets while Mukesh Choudhary, Rajneesh Gurbani and Vicky Ostwal took two wickets each. Maharashtra ended the day on 51 for no loss in nine overs, Prithvi Shaw scoring 37 runs off 34 balls.
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Published on:
October 17, 2025
