Published: Dec 22, 2023, 10:19 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2023, 01:35 PM (IST)
Sanju Samson made his debut in cricket, in a Twenty20 international match against Zimbabwe in 2015. Sanju Samson, however, had to wait eight long years for his first international century, which came to an end on Thursday in an ODI against South Africa. Sanju Samson controlled his natural attacking impulses to time his innings properly after coming to bat at No. 3. He struck three sixes and six fours on route to score 108 off 114 balls. Owing to which, the Indian team scored 296/8 in 50 overs. After then, India took the wickets of Proteas with ease and won the series 2-1.
Former Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar complimented Sanju Samson’s innings. Stating which he said:
“This century will change his career. He always belonged here. We all know the talent that he has. We have all been saying look at the talent that he has got but not yet delivered. Today he delivered. Not just for everybody for himself too,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“I feel really emotional, going through the emotions now. I am very happy to achieve this. I have been putting in a lot of work, both physically and mentally, and I am happy to see the results go my way now. They bowled really well with the new ball, and the older ball was getting slower and more difficult to bat. So after KL got out, they had momentum, and Maharaj was bowling very well. But me and Tilak stuck it out and went strong at the end. We were playing an extra all-rounder today, so me and Tilak had decided that we had to go hard from the 40th over onwards,” said Sanju Samson following the innings.
When it came to the game, the Proteas took the field first with India. A hard-hitting start for Rajat Patidar (22 in 16 balls, three fours and a six) in his first international match, Sai Sudharsan (10) had a short innings after two consecutive fifties.
After making a strong start, captain KL Rahul (21) was unable to sustain it and exited India at 101/3.
After that, Samson and Tilak Varma had a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket (52 in 75 balls, including six fours and a six). With six fours and three sixes in 114 balls, Samson got his first century. He did not play his typical aggressive style; instead, he played a measured and cautious knock. Rinku Singh’s last touches (38 in 27 balls, three fours, and two sixes) lifted India to victory.
The two best bowlers for South Africa were Nandre Burger (2/64) and Beuran Hendricks (3/63).
Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, and Lizaad Williams claimed a wicket each.
