When Sandeep Warrier was trapped leg-before-wicket (lbw) by former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla on the second day of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match at the Wayanad Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, everyone outside the Kerala dressing room thought the host’s second innings was over.
For, Sanju Samson’s ring finger on his right hand had been broken by a nasty ball from Gujarat’s left-arm seamer Arzan Nagwaswalla on the opening day, forcing him to retire hurt on 17. But, out came the Kerala’s most accomplished batsman, much to the loud cheer of the small crowd.
Batting with one hand, he survived nine balls and helped Jalaj Saxena extend Kerala’s lead by eight runs. “We are all inspired by Sanju’s courageous act,” said Sijomon Joseph, Kerala’s top-scorer. “That is why he is such a special batsman.”
Gujarat’s seamer Roosh Kalaria also applauded Samson. “We didn’t expect him to bat in the second innings,” he said. “It was remarkable.”
