Vijay Hazare Trophy: Sanju Samson Smashes Second-fastest Double Hundred in 50-over Cricket History

Sanju Samson scored his maiden double hundred for Kerala against Goa on Saturday in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy at KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 212 runs which came from 129 balls, including 20 fours and 10 sixes.

In this process, he became the sixth Indian batsman to score a double ton in List A cricket after the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Karn Kaushal. He also became the third Indian batsman to achieve the feat in the domestic circuit.

The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman reached his double hundred from 125 balls, the fastest double century by an Indian batsman and second overall. Australia’s Travis Head still holds the record for the fastest double century in List A cricket who scored it in 120 balls.

His double century helped Kerala to post a huge total of 377/3 on the board. He stitched a partnership of 338 runs for the third wicket with Sachin Baby which also broke a 25-year-old record. Their 338-run partnership is now the highest third-wicket partnership in List A cricket. Earlier the record belonged to Tim Curtis and Tom Moody who stitched a 309-run partnership for Worcestershire against Surrey.

However, this was also the maiden List A hundred for Sanju Samson. He broke Kaushal’s record and registered the highest score in the history Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also surpassed Pakistan’s Abid Ali for the highest score smashed by a wicketkeeper-batsman.

Sanju Samson also became the only Indian batsman to score a double century in 50-over cricket while batting at No.3 position. While India’s number four spot is still in question, he has put his name forward with this record-breaking knock. Former India player Gautam Gambhir has also backed Samson for the Indian set up. He recently played in the India A vs South Africa A series and scored 91 in the second game and was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ as well.