Power-hitting, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman on a scintillating display Sanju Samson wrote history During the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on Friday (November 8). Samson had a phenomenal run, hitting 107 runs, 10 sixes and 7 fours from just 50 balls. He brought up his half-century in just 27 balls and completed his next 50 runs in just 20 balls, showing incredible aggression and timing. His sensational knock set the stage for India to post a mammoth total of 202/8. Samson’s departure came as Ngabayomzi tried to launch a second six off Peter, only to be caught in the deep by Tristan Stubbs.
India’s strong foundation with the brilliance of Sanju Samson
Samson’s blistering century was the highlight of India’s innings, but he was ably supported by it. Tilak Varma (33) and Capt Suryakumar Yadav (21), making important contributions in the medium order. Despite Samson’s departure, India’s strong start ensured they were in a strong position heading into the latter stages of their innings. Aiden Markramwinning the toss and electing to bowl first, the youngster made his all-round debut Andile Simelane. However, despite the debutant’s energy, India’s attack came up big.
Gerald Coetzee shines for South Africa with three wickets
For South Africa, pacer Gerald Coetzee He was the outstanding bowler claiming three wickets for 37 runs. His disciplined bowling, coupled with smart field placements, helped the Proteas claw back India in the later stages of the innings. While Samson’s fireworks set a formidable target, Coetzee’s efforts at the death ensured that India could not run away from the game entirely. Nevertheless, the foundation laid by Samson and the middle order gave India enough momentum to challenge South Africa’s batting in the chase.
Also WATCH: Abhishek Sharma gets stunning backward fall by Aiden Markram in 1st T20I
Here’s Twitter’s reaction:
Sanju Samson goes back to back 💯💯🔥 pic.twitter.com/uJLbffcLZ7
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 8, 2024
Samson’s show is in full bloom!
Sanju Samson became the first Indian to score two consecutive T20I centuries. What courage! 🔥#PlayBold #TeamIndia #SAVIN pic.twitter.com/GbcZbIZDta
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) November 8, 2024
Sanju Samson tonight. What an innings @IamSanjuSamson 👏🏻 #SAVIN pic.twitter.com/cZCQepmluL
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 8, 2024
Special player. Special talent. There’s a reason he’s in your T20 team every day. I’m so happy it’s all coming together #SanjuSamson. You get tokens when you don’t play for them. #Back2BackT20Centuries.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 8, 2024
Sanju Samson, bend over! Back to back T20I Centuries 🔥💙 pic.twitter.com/UFoZYbWBas
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 8, 2024
Sanju Samson 💥 @IamSanjuSamson @BCCI indvssa
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 8, 2024
There is no better sight and as a result one gets to see Sanju Samson bat as he has in recent times. He may be competing with Pant for the keepers slot in T20s, but if he is to be believed, his impact as a batsman is multifaceted; not only T20s, Sanju is also a fine ODI batsman #IndvsSA #T20
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 8, 2024
Back to back T20 internationals for the talented Sanju Samson 💯. His skills can never be questioned. If he can work on his consistency, he can kill a lot of opposition bowling.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) November 8, 2024
Sanju Samson has a style that makes you want to watch him play every shot.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 8, 2024
No Sanju Samson fan will miss this tweet.
Another back to back T20 for Sanju Samson 🔥✨ 💯#INDvsSA #SAVIN#SanjuSamson #samosa pic.twitter.com/9K9dRlaTxZ
— Siddharth Kukna (@sidkukna) November 8, 2024
100 by SANJU SAMSON in just 47 balls
– He is on fire, what a player!#SanjuSamson #cricket #SAVIN pic.twitter.com/Esat4qFdH1— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 8, 2024
Beat it up Sanju!
First Indian to score back-to-back tons in T20Is!
Talk about getting your chance at the top order 👏 https://t.co/tikxxmpbIk
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 8, 2024
Brilliant tattoo, Sanju. Back-to-back hundreds are a huge accomplishment. 🙌
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) November 8, 2024
Samson breaks records with his masterful century
Samson’s 107-run knock broke many records, including the highest individual score by an Indian player against South Africa in a Men’s T20I. Rohit SharmaHe set the previous record with 106 runs in 2015. Additionally, his knock is the highest score by an Indian on South African soil in a Men’s T20I, a record that Suryakumar achieved after his 100 runs in December 2023. Samson’s 107 runs against South Africa is also the fourth highest score by any batsman in Men’s T20Is, behind Babar Azam (122), Johnson Charles (118) and Chris Gayle (117).
Samson became the seventh fastest Indian to reach 7000 runs in T20s, achieving another significant milestone. He joined with his 7000th run in his 269th innings Robin Uthappa in this exclusive club. This achievement further demonstrates his consistency and longevity in the T20 format, as Samson continues to build on his impressive career statistics. As one of the fastest Indian batsmen to reach this milestone, his ability to deliver in the shortest format of the game makes him an integral part of India’s T20 team.
Samson’s exceptional knock in the first T20I against South Africa, while guiding India to a total, established him as one of the leading T20I batsmen in world cricket. His record-breaking performances are a testament to his skill, consistency and ability to come out on top in big matches.
