Follow UsIn a standout performance, Sanju Samson led from the front as Kerala stunned tournament-favourites Mumbai by 15 runs in the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at Lucknow. Samson’s aggressive 46 off 28 balls, which included eight fours and a six, provided the platform for Kerala’s final total.
Kerala had been under pressure after a shaky start from their top order. But Samson, who is back to opening this season, set the tone at the very outset. His 48 combined with knocks from Vishnu Vinod, Mohammed Azharuddeen, and Sharafuddeen, helped Kerala reach 178/5.
The bowling attack, especially KM Asif, who took five wickets for just 24 runs, delivered when it mattered most. Asif’s decisive spell, which included crucial wickets in the late overs, derailed Mumbai’s chase of 179 and helped Kerala win by 15 runs.
Bhuvneshwar & Sameer Rizvi Help UP To A Big Win
Bhuvneshwar Kumar may not be counted as a leading pacer in Indian cricket at the moment, but the veteran swing bowler has continued to prove his value in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Defending 213 against Chandigarh, Bhuvneshwar bowled four overs for just 23 runs and picked three wickets, which included opener Nehal Pajni and number three batter and skipper Arjun Azad as Chandigarh eventually fell short by 40 runs. Earlier, Sameer Rizvi (70 off 42) and Madhav Kaushik (67 off 41) had taken UP to a very good total of 212/7.
He has been an active player in the IPL despite being sidelined from Indian cricket, and performances like this would keep him in the reckoning for the league.