Ashok Namboodiri
Sanju called himself Sanju Mohanlal Samson in response to a question at the post-match presentation. He implied that he could be as versatile as the Malayalam superstar who recently won the Dadasaheb Phalke award. In Indian cricket, few stories have been as tantalising as that of Sanju Samson. From his earliest days, the Kerala batsman has been hailed as a prodigy with the ability to time the ball like a dream and dismantle attacks at will. Yet, for much of his international career, Sanju has been a cricketer of fleeting moments – brilliance in bursts, followed by stretches of inconsistency. Against Sri Lanka, batting at No. 5, he finally delivered an innings that suggested he may have found his place.
By invoking the name of Kerala’s most iconic actor, the superstar Mohanlal, Saju was drawing a parallel that was both cultural and personal. Mohanlal is celebrated for his versatility, seamlessly moving between mass entertainers and nuanced, character-driven roles. Sanju’s point was clear: batting at No. 5 demands the same kind of adaptability. On some days, the role is about rescue acts; on other days, it is about finishing with flourish. Against Sri Lanka, he showed he could do both.
Walking in with India needing impetus, Saju produced a mature yet attacking 39 off 23 balls. His strike rate was 169 and he hit one four and three sixes. Sanju’s international career has too often been defined by flux – sometimes opening, sometimes at No. 3, and frequently used as a floater. At No. 5, however, he looks like a man who has finally found his canvas. The role suits his skill set: the ability to rebuild if early wickets tumble, and the capacity to accelerate if a foundation is already laid. Much like Mohanlal slipping into diverse roles on screen, Sanju appears comfortable in adapting to what the situation demands, without losing his innate flair.
Sanju’s batting has always stood out for its elegance. He is not a power-hitter in the mould of brute force, but rather a timing-based stroke-maker whose bat swing looks effortless yet lethal. Even his six-hitting has a sense of ease; where others muscle the ball, Sanju caresses it into the stands. Against Sri Lanka, this natural style was on full display. If statistics have sometimes undersold him, Sanju’s fan following certainly hasn’t. From his IPL exploits with Rajasthan Royals to his hero status in Kerala, he commands a cult-like admiration. Crowds in Thiruvananthapuram or Jaipur often rise as one when he walks out to bat, and social media explodes with every Saju innings that catches fire. His supporters see in him not just a cricketer, but a symbol of Kerala pride and Indian cricketing flair.
This innings could not have come at a more crucial juncture. India now prepare for the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, and the middle-order will likely decide the contest. Sanju’s return to form strengthens India’s line-up, giving it both flexibility and firepower. Against Pakistan’s potent pace attack, India will need someone who can weather the storm and then counter-punch. On current evidence, Sanju is ready for that challenge.
For Sanju Samson, this knock was more than runs; it was a statement of identity and intent. By embracing the moniker of “Sanju Mohanlal Samson”, he positioned himself as both versatile and dependable. If this performance is a glimpse of what’s to come, India may just have discovered the middle-order answer they have long been searching for, and the final against Pakistan could be the stage for Sanju to deliver his blockbuster.
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