India, Aug. 25 -- Sanju Samson sent out a strong message with a blazing 42-ball century in the Kerala Cricket League, just ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, where he is tipped to feature as India's back-up opener. The swashbuckling opener looked in sublime touch and took his team, Kochi Blue Tigers, close to a mammoth 237-run target. He smashed 121 runs off 51 balls and got out in the penultimate over of the innings when the game turned into an intense mode; however, Muhammad Ashik got the job done for his team with an unbeaten 45 runs off 18 balls.

Samson has been picked in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE, but chief selector Ajit Agarkar has hinted that Shubman Gill will open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma....