In a game where India experimented with their batting order and gave chances to squad players, Sanju Samson stepped up crafting a composed half-century at No. 3 that proved crucial in a tense match vs Oman. Sanju Samson‘s 56 off 45 helped India post 188/8 in their final group match of Asia Cup 2025, and though Oman gave them a fight, the knock underlined Samson’s value and bolstered India’s momentum heading into the Super Four.
Sanju Samson’s Anchoring knock
India’s innings began with early jitters. Shubman Gill, returning from some under-par form, fell for just 5 runs, undone by Shah Faisal’s left-arm movement. Enter Sanju Samson, batting at No. 3, a slot he hasn’t occupied often this tournament. From there, he played with a mix of caution and aggression.
Sanju Samson got settled slowly just one off his first seven deliveries but once in, he balanced strike rotation and boundary hitting well. Three sixes and three fours peppered his innings, lifting the momentum for India when wickets fell around him. His 50 came up off 41 balls his slowest T20I fifty but in the match context it was precisely the kind of stabilizing knock India needed.
Supporting Acts & Game Phases
Abhishek Sharma exploded in the powerplay, 38 off 15 balls, giving India a blazing start. Tilak Varma also played well, with 29 off 18, helping carry the attacking intent into the later overs. Axar Patel, too, with a cameo of 26 off 13, offered some lustre in the middle, before Oman’s bowlers pushed back in the final overs.
Oman didn’t lie down. They fought back via disciplined spells from Shah Faisal (2/23), Jiten Ramanandi (2/33), and Aamir Kaleem (2/31) to stop India from running away with the total. Despite that, India’s depth and the Sanju Samson anchor held them above water. Sanju Samson was quite calm & composed in his batting style.
Chasing 189, Oman came in with intent. Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza put up a solid stand, especially Kaleem who scored 64 off 46, keeping Oman in the hunt. Mirza also chipped in with a 51, but it needed one big partnership or a late surge to make India uneasy. In the end, Oman fell short by 21 runs a commendable chase but just beyond their reach.
What This Knock Means for Samson & India
With India already through to the Super Four, this match offered a chance for players down the order and those in contention to press their claims. Samson’s innings was one such message: that he can anchor and also accelerate when needed. His half-century also came with a milestone: surpassing MS Dhoni in the number of sixes hit as an Indian batter in T20 internationals. For a player often scrutinized for his consistency, this composed performance under pressure could be a turning point in how he is viewed by selectors and fans alike.
Sanju Samson’s 56 off 45 was far from the flashy, but it was perfectly timed. When India needed someone to steady the innings amid early blows and mounting required rate, he stood firm. While Oman’s resistance made the contest interesting, it was Samson’s knock that built the platform India rode to another win. With the Super Four looming, performances like this may well decide who gets more opportunities and right now, Samson has made a strong case for more.