Sanju Samson scored his maiden international century today (December 21) in the final ODI of the three-match series against South Africa. Here’s how the cricket community reacted to his long-awaited hundred.
India got off to a strong start as they were defended first by the hosts. Debutant Rajat Patidar chased 22 off 15 balls but was cleared by Nandre Berger in the fifth over. With this, Samson reached the crease and played only his 16th ODI.
Samson was cautious at first, scoring just 10 points from his first 20 pitches. As the field spread out after the first 10 overs, Samson eased the pace in his innings and skillfully outplayed Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram, who bowled clean lines and length to keep the scoring rate down.
Samson added 116 runs for the fourth wicket along with Tilak Varma, laying a solid foundation for India to bat in the last 10 overs. The first ball of the 41st over saw Samson score a brilliant six off the bowling of Berger, taking him to his 90s.
He finally reached his first international hundred on the last ball of the 44th over, forcing Keshav Maharaj for a single and celebrating by pointing to his biceps.
After making his national team debut in 2015, it took a long time for him to break through triple digits. Samson is yet to secure his place in the national team as he has had sporadic chances in two white-ball formats. This strike has the potential to change that.
Samson was dismissed immediately after completing his 100 balls, scoring 108 off 114 balls as India finished the innings at 296 for 8. Samson’s ODI total currently stands at 510 runs at an average of 56.7 and a strike rate of 99.6 (three fifties and his hundred).
Sanju Samson at the batting number that is his. 👏🏼👍🏽
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 21. December 2023
Well played Sanju Samson. First ODI century. Gosh I hope that there are several more to come.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
– Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) 21. December 2023
Had Sanju Samson got a blazing 100 in 80 balls, you would have said well done Sanju! But that he came into bat in the 5th over & got his 100 in the 44th over & played to the team needs, seemingly against his nature, my admiration for Samson has grown considerably today! 👏👏👏
– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 21. 2023 年 12 月
Sanju *𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠* Samson 🇮🇳💗
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) 21. December 2023 p>
Sensational Sanju’s comeback statement 💪
Elster international player Sieg Fer Samson takes it seriously 💯#PlayBold < a href=" https: //twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#SAvIND #TeamIndia @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/IVffNuijEj
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) 21. December 2023< /p>
The first ones are always 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋! ✨
Congratulations to Sanju Samson on scoring his first international century! 💯💪 #SanjuSamson #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/avp87pIkX6
– Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) 21. December 2023
A very measured hundred from Sanju Samson 👏👏
Different gears.
– Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) 21. 2023 年 12 月
Maiden ODI 💯 for Sanju Samson!
It took some time, but it was worth it. That’s a great shot. Hopefully he can get some runs that will help him make the mark.
Gutgespielt. 👏#SAvIND Build .twitter.com/Gg3Jukzujg
– Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) 21. December 2023
Sanju Samson scores his maiden international hundred in his 35th outing and 16th ODI for India across eight years. A knock under immense match pressure and that’s a huge monkey off his back. And that would be two List A centuries across three innings. #INDvSA
– Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) 21. December 2023
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