Sanju stars again as Kochi Blue Tigers defeat Trivandrum Royals by 9 runs

Sanju Samson was in no mood to take it easy during the Kerala Cricket League match between Kochi Blue Tigers and Trivandrum Royals, as his powerful performance helped Kochi win by 9 runs. 

Sanju opened the innings with a boundary and scored 14 runs in the very first over. He went on to make a solid 62 runs, powering Kochi to a total of 191/5 at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. But Trivandrum's reply ended at 182/6. 

The opening pair of Sanju and Vinoop Manoharan gave Kochi a strong start, putting up a 68-run partnership in 7.3 overs. Vinoop was dismissed after a well-made 42 off just 26 balls. Sanju's elder brother, Saly Samson, came in next, but disappointed with the bat, managing only nine runs. However, Sanju continued to keep the scoreboard moving.

Teaming up with Nikhil Thottath, Sanju added another 48 runs before getting out. His knock included four boundaries and five sixes, anchoring Kochi’s innings.

Nikhil remained unbeaten on 45 off 35 balls, guiding Kochi to a competitive total of 191. For Trivandrum Royals, Abhijith Praveen was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 39 runs.

Trivandrum's reply started with a shocker from Saly, who dismissed opener Govind Pai for a duck. Riya Basheer also endured a similar fate in the very next over, and Trivandrum were left in a difficult position.

Skipper Krishna Prasad and Sanjeev Satheesan built the innings and added 74 runs in the third wicket partnership. After Prasad was dismissed for 36 runs, Abdul Basith provided support to Sanjeev, and they found the momentum. 

However, Kochi bowlers dismissed both and made a breakthrough. Sanjeev was dismissed for 70 while Basith made 41. The tailenders finished nine runs short of Kochi's total. Muhammad Ashik claimed two wickets.