Sanju Samson hit a 21-ball half-century against West Indies in the second T20I in Ranchi on Friday, equalling Virat Kohli’s record for the joint-fastest fifty by an Indian against the Caribbean side in the format.
Related cricket updates: Shreyas Iyer Equals Kohli Record With Fifty vs DC, Anil Kumble: Sanju Samson is a Blend of Kohli and Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal Breaks IPL Record for Most Sixes on First Ball, Surpasses Virat Kohli.
IPL 2026 data links: IPL 2026 data hub, IPL 2026 points table, IPL 2026 Orange Cap, IPL 2026 Purple Cap, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer.
Samson reached fifty in the final over of the powerplay at the JSCA International Stadium. His innings helped India reach 79/1 after six overs, their highest T20I powerplay score against West Indies. The previous mark was 72 without loss at the Wankhede Stadium in 2019.
Samson capitalises on two dropped chances
Samson mixed aggressive strokeplay with two important reprieves before completing his fifty with consecutive boundaries. West Indies dropped the wicketkeeper-batter on six in the third over and again on 42 at 5.4 overs.
Two balls after the second chance, Samson drove a full delivery from Romario Shepherd through extra cover for four to complete his half-century. His first 50 runs included six fours and three sixes.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Sanju Samson equals Virat Kohli mark with 21-ball fifty.
The 21-ball effort matched Kohli’s fifty against West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in 2019, according to the original match report.
India’s openers set the early pace
Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on 42 for the opening wicket in four overs, giving India a rapid start after West Indies captain Shai Hope chose to bowl first.
Abhishek scored 20 from 12 balls before he was dismissed. Samson then batted alongside Ishan Kishan and kept the pressure on the West Indies attack for the rest of the powerplay.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Sanju Samson equals Virat Kohli mark with 21-ball fifty.
The innings was an immediate response from Samson after he scored 11 in the series opener in Lucknow. India won that first match by eight wickets before the five-match series moved to Ranchi.
West Indies bowl first in wet conditions
Hope chose to field because West Indies expected the wet conditions to become more difficult as the evening progressed. West Indies made one change, with Gudakesh Motie replacing Forde.
India captain Shreyas Iyer named an unchanged playing XI. Iyer said at the toss that India had also wanted to bowl first but would focus on adapting quickly and maintaining their standards throughout the match.
Related cricket reading on IPL Bet Online
- Abhishek Sharma sets men's T20I powerplay scoring record
- India beat Zimbabwe by 90 runs for Shreyas Iyer's first series win as captain
- Virat Kohli becomes second batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs
- Rohit Sharma becomes fastest opener to 10,000 ODI runs
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli focus on 2027 World Cup
- Aakash Chopra backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to keep scoring
- Sanju Samson vows to bat on his own terms after World Cup success
- Arshdeep Singh puts Bhuvneshwar Kumar first in personal top five