Samson 39, stumping in Super Over lifts India past Sri Lanka

Sanju Samson produced a late, game-changing performance in India’s Super 4 match against Sri Lanka on Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, scoring 39 off 23 balls, executing a match-turning stumping in the Super Over and being named India’s Impact Player as his side won the contest in a Super Over. Samson’s innings and sharp glovework helped India recover from a middle-order wobble and finish on 202 for 5 in the 20 overs before the tie was settled in the Super Over.

Coming in at No. 5, the wicketkeeper-batter struck one four and three sixes, including decisive shots against Sri Lanka’s premier leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. Samson scored 24 off 11 balls against Hasaranga in the innings, a notable turnaround given he had been dismissed six times in eight previous T20 meetings with the bowler and had managed just 40 runs against him. Former India opener Aakash Chopra praised Samson’s handling of spin, saying, "Very impressive. And one thing that stood out for me was the way he handled Wanindu Hasaranga's spin."

Abhishek Sharma led the assault at the top with 61 off 31, while Tilak Varma anchored the finish with an unbeaten 49 off 34. Those contributions set up the...