‘Sanju Samson made orange juice of Zimbabwe's bowling’: Srikkanth thrilled by IND opener’s intent, but rues missed fifty

Srikkanth took a cheeky dig at Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl first and reserved special praise for Sanju Samson’s early assault at the top.

Updated on: Feb 27, 2026, 21:12:09 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Sanju Samson made his way back into India’s playing XI and wasted little time in leaving a mark at the top of the order. The wicketkeeper-batter got going in style, launching a six off just the second delivery he faced to signal his intent. He raced to 24 from 15 balls, taking on the Zimbabwe bowlers and putting them under early pressure. Although he could not convert the brisk start into a bigger score, his aggressive approach, which included two sixes and a boundary, ensured India seized momentum in the powerplay. The early surge laid the foundation for the batting unit to maintain that tempo and pile up an imposing 256/4.

Sanju Samson played a quickfire 24-run knock against Zimbabwe. (PTI)

Reacting in his trademark animated style, former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth summed up the one-sided contest as a batting carnival for India. He took a cheeky dig at Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl first and reserved special praise for Samson’s early assault at the top.

"It was a feast for India. Sharma and Varma scored, Hardik scored, everyone scored. It was a good batting wicket. Zimbabwe chose to bowl first, saying there would be juice on the wicket. Sanju Samson made orange juice of their bowling in two overs," he said on 'Cheeky Cheeka'.

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After the manner in which Samson began, many anticipated a sizeable knock, but he once again perished trying to take on a slower short ball, holing out to deep midwicket just as he looked set to build something substantial.

“Sanju should have scored a hundred”

Continuing his candid assessment, Srikkanth felt Samson had the perfect platform to convert his start into a three-figure score and did not hold back in expressing his surprise. While he expected at least a half-century from the wicketkeeper-batter, he also pointed out that Samson’s brisk start played a key role in easing the pressure on Abhishek Sharma at the other end.

"Sanju should have scored a hundred on this wicket. I was sure he would make a fifty. God is with you Sanju, what are you doing? Maybe he is reserving for the big match. But the start he gave was a good thing for Abhishek Sharma, as he could play his normal game. He did not have to go for the shots," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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