Overview

• Opening for Kochi Blue Tigers on Tuesday, Samson hit 89 off 46 with nine sixes and produced 13 runs from a single delivery via a no-ball six followed by a free-hit six.
• The knock followed his 121 off 51 on Sunday, when he reached a century in 42 balls during a 237 chase that was sealed with a last-ball six by teammate Mohammed Ashik.
• Samson’s return to the top after a brief stint at No. 6 included a 16-ball fifty, reported as the fastest in the league, underscoring his current role as a high-impact opener.
• He is in India’s 15-man Asia Cup squad, yet his place in the starting XI remains unclear after Ajit Agarkar signaled Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma as preferred opening options.
• The Asia Cup begins in the UAE on September 9, leaving selectors limited time to finalise combinations as Samson’s form strengthens his claim for a top-order role.