Sanju Samson matches Virat Kohli’s record with whirlwind fifty against West Indies

NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson answered his disappointing outing in the series opener with a blistering half-century in the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi on Friday, matching Virat Kohli’s record for the joint-fastest fifty by an Indian against the Caribbean side in the format.Samson brought up his half-century in just 21 balls, equalling Kohli’s effort at the Wankhede Stadium in 2019. The wicketkeeper-batter’s explosive start also powered India to their highest powerplay score against West Indies in T20Is - 79/1, surpassing the previous mark of 72 without loss, recorded at Wankhede in 2019.After managing only 11 in the series opener in Lucknow, Samson made an emphatic statement at the JSCA International Stadium, taking the attack to the West Indies bowlers and giving India a flying start after captain Shreyas Iyer was asked to bat first.Two reprieves, then a record-equalling fiftySamson’s innings was as aggressive as it was fortunate.