Kochi Blue Tigers Seal Semi final Spot with Dominant Runs

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kochi Blue Tigers have stormed into the semi-finals of KCL Season 2, becoming the first team to confirm their place in the knockouts. With seven wins from nine matches and only two defeats, both by slender margins, Kochi’s journey has been a story of consistency, resilience and all-round brilliance.
At the heart of this campaign has been Sanju Samson. Snapped up for a record ₹26.8 lakhs, more than half of Kochi’s total auction purse, Sanju has lived up to every bit of the hype. With 368 runs in just five innings, including a sparkling century and three half-centuries, Sanju has been the batting talisman. His effortless stroke play and ability to anchor or accelerate at will have made him the tournament’s headline act. Only 11 runs separate him from the top run-getter, Ahmed Imran, despite playing two innings fewer.
But Kochi are far from a one-man army. Vinoop Manoharan has given the team explosive starts, especially in Sanju’s absence, while Mohammed Shanu has quietly become the stabiliser in the middle order. When crunch moments have arrived, the team has found unexpected heroes: Mohammed Ashiq’s last-ball six against Kollam Sailors still lingers in memory, while Jerin PS’s nerveless finishing against Alleppey Ripples showed Kochi’s depth. On debut, Jishnu A announced himself in style, smashing 45 runs off 29 balls against Calicut Globstars to guide Kochi home and bag the Man of the Match award. Supporting acts from Alfi Francis John and Jobin Joby have ensured the Blue Tigers never lack game-changers when the heat is on.
The bowling, too, has been a mirror of balance and experience. KM Asif, with his years of exposure in the IPL, has led the attack, consistently breaking partnerships when Kochi needed it most. Behind him, Akhin Sathar, Jerin PS, Srihari, Mohammed Ashiq, Jobin Joby and skipper Saly Samson have combined to form a versatile unit. Adding freshness to the mix, Midhun PK made his maiden KCL appearance memorable, claiming two crucial wickets against Calicut Globstars and instantly proving his value to the squad. Saly himself has been more than just a captain, his cameos with both bat and ball have swung matches in Kochi’s favour and added an extra layer of leadership.
What makes Kochi stand out this season is not just the star power, but the collective spirit. Every player seems ready to rise to the occasion, every defeat has been fought till the last ball, and every victory has carried the stamp of dominance.
With one more league match against Kollam Sailors, Kochi have already marked themselves as frontrunners for the KCL crown. As the tournament heads into its decisive phase, the Blue Tigers carry the aura of a team that not only knows how to win, but knows how to win together.