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Key Points

Sanju Samson played a pivotal role in India's Super Over win against Sri Lanka. His aggressive 39-run knock helped India post a competitive total of 202. For his all-round efforts, he was awarded the Impact Player medal by the team physio. The team now looks ahead to the final against Pakistan this Sunday.

Key Points: Gambhir Smiles as Samson Wins Asia Cup Impact Player Medal

  • Samson's swift 39 off 23 balls provided crucial impetus in the middle overs
  • He also contributed with a key stumping of Kusal Perera off Varun Chakravarthy
  • His innings helped India post 202/5, the first 200-plus total of Asia Cup 2025
  • Head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen smiling and applauding Samson's achievement
3 min read

Asia Cup: Gambhir is all smiles as Samson receives 'Impact Player' medal

Sanju Samson's match-winning 39(23) against Sri Lanka earns him the Impact Player award, with coach Gautam Gambhir applauding the keeper-batter's crucial knock.

"This small appreciation really means a lot to all of us. - Sanju Samson"

Dubai, September 27

India's wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson was bestowed with the 'Impact Player' medal after he engineered a counter-attacking knock against Sri Lanka in the final Super Fours fixture in Dubai at the ongoing Asia Cup.

After Abhishek Sharma's 61-run blitz from the top, boundaries started to dry up in the middle phase. Samson injected the much-needed impetus with his swift 39(23), laced with a solitary four and three towering maximums. His blitzkrieg in the middle laid the platform for India to post 202/5, the first 200-plus total at the Asia Cup 2025.

Follwoing India's Super Over win on Friday night, India's physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar presented the medal to in-form Samson. The 30-year-old expressed gratitude for the appreciation and vowed to give his best in the future. While Samson received the medal, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was in all smiles and applauded.

"Thank you so much. This might be a small one, but it really means a lot. This small appreciation really means a lot to all of us. I personally take a lot of pride to be in this dressing room, not easy, and we all do. Very happy to contribute and give my best as we all do, thank you so much," Samson said in a video posted by the BCCI.

Apart from his crucial display with the bat, Samson contributed with his clinical outing with the gloves. He stumped Kusal Perera on 58(32) off mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, to turn the tide in India's favour. During India's unbeaten campaign at the Asia Cup, Samson has garnered 108 runs at 36.00 while maintaining a strike rate of 127.05. He walloped 56, after being promoted to number three against Oman in the final group stage contest.

India will now face Pakistan in the final in Dubai on Sunday for the first time in the history of the T20 Asia Cup. In their last two encounters, India effortlessly gunned down the target set by Pakistan and will hope to end the tournament by lifting the title with an unblemished record.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Gambhir's smile says it all! Good to see the coach appreciating players who perform under pressure. Samson's wicketkeeping was equally important - that stumping of Perera was match-turning.
A
Aditya G
While Samson played well, I feel we're still too dependent on individual performances. The middle order needs more consistency. Hope we can maintain this form against Pakistan in the final! 🤞
S
Sarah B
As someone new to cricket, it's fascinating to see how these small medals motivate players. Samson's humble acceptance speech shows great team spirit. Looking forward to the India-Pakistan final!
K
Karthik V
Samson's strike rate of 127 throughout the tournament proves his value in T20 cricket. His ability to accelerate when needed makes him perfect for the middle order. Jai Hind! 🏏
M
Michael C
The Impact Player concept is interesting - recognizes crucial contributions beyond just big scores. Samson's 39 runs came at the perfect time. India looking strong for the final!

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