Sanju's 'single-handed' fight wins laurels

Sanju lauded for fighting for team despite broken finger

Krishnagiri (Wayanad): A resilient Sanju Samson who batted with a broken finger in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Gujarat is being showered with praise.

When Kerala struggled at 163/9 in their second innings on a bowler-friendly Krishnagiri pitch, Sanju took to the field as the 11th man to bat with one hand. He helped Jalaj Saxena add eight more runs to the total before falling. Sanju had guided Kerala into the quarters with half centuries in both innings against Himachal Pradesh in their final group match.

Sanju had retired hurt in the first innings after pacer RB Kalaria's delivery hit him on his right hand, hurting the ring finger. An x-ray later confirmed a fracture and doctors advised a three-week rest. Back at the ground, Sanju suggested he could hold one end if needed in the low-scoring match.

After taking a small lead of 23 runs in the first innings, Kerala was going well with Sijomon Joseph and Saxena trying to accelerate scoring. But Kalaria dismissed Sijomon. Soon Besil Thampi, MD Nidheesh and Sandeep Warrier fell without scoring. That is when Sanju decided to take to the crease and keep Saxena company. A portion of his right glove was ripped out so that he could insert a plastered finger in it. Sanju faced nine balls before being trapped in front of the wicket by Axar Patel. Though he did not score, Sanju helped Saxena add valuable eight runs to the total.

"I wanted to support Jalaj because he was batting well. Every run he scored out there was valuable. But such is the game you cannot decide how it will go. I had to face back-to-back deliveries," Sanju Samson said.

"It was quite brave of him. The doctors had suggested almost a month’s rest. But he rose to the occasion when the team needed it," said Kerala captain Sachin Baby.

No injury too big

• Sportsmen have returned to the field before too despite being injured. The image of Anil Kumble with a bandage around his face in the 2002 Antigua Test match is memorable. A ball from Melvin Dillon of the West Indies has broken Kumble's jaw. He came out and bowled 14 overs despite being in acute pain.

• Mohammad Kaif in 2004 battled fatigue to bat against Australia in the Chennai Test. He had scored 60 runs when hot conditions made him retire early. When the wickets fell quickly afterwards, Kaif came out to bat again. Though he was dismissed after hitting Shane Warne for a four, his partnership of 102 with wicket keeper Parthiv Patel gave India a first innings lead. Murali Karthik and team physio Andrew Lupas had to help a visibly tired Kaif walk back to the pavilion.

• In another Chepauk match in 1986, Australia’s Dean Jones played a magnificent innings despite a bout of vomiting. Australia rode on his double ton to draw that match.

• Opener Nari Contractor had lead India to a good score batting five hours in the fifth Test against Pakistan in 1961 when tragedy struck. A delivery from Mahmud Hussain hit Contactor on his nose while on 89. He was rushed to a hospital and the injury required five stitches. But he was back on the crease within two hours of the incident. A swelling near one eye had made his vision weak. Though he added only three runs before falling, Contactor’s bravery made it a historical comeback.

• Many players have braved injuries for their team and returned to the field despite grave pain - Garry Kirsten against Pakistan in a 2004 Test match, South African Graeme Smith in 2009 Sydney Test, Ian Bell against Bangladesh in 2010 Bristol Test, Bangladesh’s opener Tamim Iqbal against Sri Lanka last year. Sachin Tendulkar, too, made a comeback after getting hit by a Waqar Yunus delivery in his early days.

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