Sanju Samson made a strong statement with the bat in the second T20I against the West Indies on Friday, October 9, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Opening the innings for India, the wicketkeeper-batter needed just 21 balls to complete his half-century, matching a major record held by Virat Kohli.
Sanju Samson’s quickfire fifty equalled Virat Kohli’s record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in a T20I against the West Indies. Kohli had also reached the 50-run mark in 21 balls during India’s T20I against the Caribbean team in Mumbai on December 11, 2019.
Sanju Samson bounced back impressively after failing to make a significant contribution in the first T20I between the two teams on Tuesday, October 6. He reached his half-century with six fours and three sixes, giving India an explosive start at the top of the order.
He also shared a 42-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma, who scored 20 runs, in just four overs. India finished the first six overs at 79 runs for the loss of only one wicket, putting the team in a strong position early in the innings.
While Sanju Samson equalled Virat Kohli’s Indian record against the West Indies, the overall record for the fastest T20I half-century against the Caribbean side belongs to South Africa’s Quinton de Kock. Quinton de Kock reached his fifty in just 15 balls against the West Indies in Centurion on March 26, 2023.
Australia’s Tim David occupies the next position, having scored a 16-ball half-century against the West Indies in Basseterre on July 25, 2025. David Warner and Colin Munro have also recorded half-centuries off 18 balls against the Caribbean team in T20Is.
Sanju Samson got out at the score of 82 and missed the chance of coming closer to equaling the record of another legendary Indian batter Rohit Sharma. Samson has already scored three centuries in T20 cricket and another century would take him closer to Rohit’s record for the most centuries in T20Is.
Rohit Sharma ended his international T20 career with five centuries in 159 matches for India, having represented the country in the format from 2007 to 2024. No player in the world has scored more T20I centuries than Rohit.
With Sanju Samson back among the runs and showing his ability to score quickly, all eyes will be on whether he can turn his explosive start into a bigger innings and move closer to one of Indian cricket’s major T20I records.
All the best to Sanju Samson!
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