Sanju Samson Reaches 2,000 International Runs in Thrilling Match Against Afghanistan

Indian cricketer Sanju Samson has reached a significant milestone by scoring 2,000 international runs during a match against Afghanistan. His explosive innings of 57 runs off 22 balls marked a return to form after previous low scores. With impressive career statistics, including four centuries and ten fifties, Samson has had a remarkable year, particularly in T20Is. The match saw India successfully chase down Afghanistan's total, securing a 2-0 lead in the series. Read on for a detailed overview of Samson's achievements and the match highlights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 16, 2026, 10:49 IST

Samson Achieves Milestone

On Tuesday, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson reached a significant milestone by scoring 2,000 runs in international cricket. He accomplished this feat during a match against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he delivered an impressive performance, scoring 57 runs off just 22 balls, featuring seven fours and four sixes, achieving a remarkable strike rate of 259.09. This performance marked a resurgence in form after a series of disappointing scores.

Samson's Career Statistics

Currently, Sanju has participated in 84 international matches, accumulating a total of 2,009 runs with an average of 31.39 and a strike rate of 137.60. His record includes four centuries and ten fifties, with a personal best of 111 runs. In T20Is, he has scored 1,499 runs across 68 matches, averaging 27.25 and boasting a strike rate of 158.12, which includes three centuries and seven fifties. In ODIs, he has made 510 runs in 14 innings at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60, featuring one century and three fifties, with a top score of 108.

A Remarkable Year for Samson

Despite facing challenges this year, Samson has excelled in T20Is, amassing 467 runs in 16 innings at an average of 31.13 and a strike rate of 186.05, including four fifties and a highest score of 97*. His performance during the T20 World Cup was particularly noteworthy, where he scored 321 runs in five innings, including three consecutive fifties, earning him the 'Player of the Tournament' title. Overall, in 30 T20 matches this year, including his stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he has scored 944 runs at an average of 36.30 and a strike rate of 175.13, which includes two centuries and five fifties.

Match Overview: India vs Afghanistan

In the match, India chose to bowl first, and Afghanistan managed to post a total of 159 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Key contributions came from skipper Ibrahim Zadran, who scored 37 runs off 33 balls, Rashid Khan with 28 runs off 16 balls, and Darwish Rasooli, who added 26 runs off 15 balls. For India, Nitish Kumar Reddy was impressive with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs in three overs, while Arshdeep Singh claimed 2 wickets for 35 runs in four overs.

During India's chase, Samson formed a crucial partnership of 88 runs with Abhishek Sharma, who scored 39 runs off 19 balls. Ishan Kishan contributed an unbeaten 38 runs off 23 balls, while Tilak Varma added 15 runs, leading India to a seven-wicket victory with 31 balls remaining. With this win, India has secured the three-match series with a 2-0 lead.