Sanju Samson won the BCCI’s Impact Player of the Match award for his brilliant cameo during the Indian cricket team’s Super Over win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
The BCCI’s Impact Player of the Match award recognises and highlights players who make the most decisive contribution to a game beyond the traditional Player of the Match accolade.
Samson, who captains Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, produced an important knock of 39 from just 23 balls to help lift India to 202/5 - the highest total in the tournament.
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After receiving the award from the Indian team’s physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar in the dressing room, Samson expressed his gratitude.
“All this small appreciation really means a lot to all of us and personally, I take a lot of pride to be in this dressing room. I am very, very happy to contribute and give my best as we all do. Thank you so much,” he said.
Entering the crease in the ninth over with India on 92/3, Samson played a composed innings at a strike rate of 169.56 - the second best in the team after top-scorer Abhishek Sharma.
Samson’s knock was laced with a four as well as three sixes and provided momentum to India when they had two relatively new batters at the crease.
His cameo also carried a milestone, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record for most T20I sixes by an Indian wicketkeeper. His tally now stands at 55 sixes in 48 innings, overtaking Dhoni’s 52 from 85 innings.
The right-handed batter has been consistent for India in the Asia 2025 so far, with 108 runs in six matches at an average of 36.00 and a strike rate of 127.05. His top score of 56 came against Oman in the group stage, for which he was named the Player of the Match.
Samson is expected to take the field again when India take on Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday.
