![Sanju Samson was bowled for 4 [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794659770060_SanjuSamsonSMAT.jpg?type=hq)
Sanju Samson was bowled for 4 [Source: X]
Indian cricketer Sanju Samson had a flop show upon his return to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 season. Playing for Kerala against Madhya Pradesh, he departed for just 4 runs off 3 balls, that too as an opener.
Samson, who recently returned from the New Zealand tour, joined the Kerala squad for the SMAT tournament as a captain. However, in the 14th fixture, he endured a massive failure.
Sanju Samson disappoints in SMAT 2026 return
In the Kerala vs Madhya Pradesh match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 season, Sanju Samson opened the innings alongside Mohammed Azharuddeen. However, after scoring just 4 runs, he fell prey to Avesh Khan in the first over itself.
Avesh bowled a back-of-a-length delivery around off stump, angling into Samson before the ball jagged back sharply. Samson attempted to defend it but was caught off guard by the movement.
With his feet going nowhere, Samson got an inside edge, sending the ball crashing into the middle stump. Avesh Khan was visibly pumped up after claiming the crucial early wicket, celebrating passionately after getting the better of Samson.
With that, Sanju Samson’s much-awaited return to SMAT turned into a disappointment. Kerala fans as well as Indian fans criticised the opener for his poor consistency.
Sanju Samson’s recent form on New Zealand tour
Before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 season, Sanju Samson was on the New Zealand tour where he played 5 T20Is for India. He scored 107 runs at an average of 21.40 and a strike rate of 142.
The wicketkeeper-batter started the series in spectacular fashion with a match-winning 67 off 33 balls in Christchurch. Later, he managed just 14 and 18 in the second and third matches, thus rounding off a modest campaign.
Samson then scored four runs each in the fourth and fifth T20Is, including a four-ball cameo in Auckland and a 10-ball struggle in Hamilton. Hence, Sanju Samson was already under the pump, and this failure in SMAT will further weigh on him.
