Sanju Samson takes Kerala to last eight

Sanju Samson played his “best ever innings for Kerala” as the hosts marched into the super league of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 with a 5-wicket win against Punjab at the St. Paul’s College Ground in Kalamassery on Saturday.

The former Rajasthan Royals batter’s 56-ball 72, which even as it perished driving into an edge in the second ball of the final over, with just 2 required from 4 that resulted in nerve-racking finish, had poise and purpose written all over.

V. A. Jagadeesh knocked Siddharth Kaul’s fifth ball, of an eventful final over from where it was 1 needed from 2, getting it over Yuvraj Singh at point, for the winning runs.

At that point, Yuvraj’s stylish 54 off 44 comprising 7 boundaries and a six that was the building block in Punjab’s 135/7 was forgotten and Kerala was celebrating its fifth win in a row and a smooth passage into the super league.

Yuvraj who has been handed a lifeline with inclusion in India’s T20 squad for the tour of Australia was in perfect control against Kerala’s disciplined bowling and fielding.

On 27, he was dropped at the rope by Sandeep Warrier who took a clean catch but sensibly threw it back in to prevent a six.

Pargat Singh’s 31-ball 35 gave Punjab a decent start but P. Prasanth’s stingy three overs that fetched 3 for 11 held Kerala firm and part-timer Jagadeesh chipped in with 1/15 in his three.

Mohammed Azharuddeen and Sanju gave Kerala its best ever start in the tourney, adding 61 runs for the first wicket.

Scores Punjab 135/7 in 20 overs (Yuvraj Singh 54, Prashanth Padmanabhan 3/11) lost to Kerala 139/5 in 19.5 overs (Sanju Samson 72). Haryana 127/3 in 20 overs (N. Saini 74*) bt Bengal 110/8 in 20 overs (A. Mishra 4/30). Andhra 91/9 in 20 overs lost to Baroda 93/7 in 16.5 overs (B. Sudhakar 3/15). Delhi 91 in 19.2 overs (Shadab Jakati 5/17) bt Goa 89/9 in 20 overs (P. Awana 3/2). Hyderabad 139/7 in 20 overs (H. Vihari 40, R. Thakur 3/29) lost to Vidarbha 142/5 in 20 overs (A. Wankhade 43). Tamil Nadu 168/6 in 20 overs (K. Bharath Shankar 41, R. Sathish 41*) lost to Himachal 173/4 in 16.5 overs (P. Dogra 79*).