"Everyone asks for justice for Sanju and he is doing injustice to the bowlers" - Aakash Chopra lauds Sanju Samson's century in IND vs SA 2024 1st T20I
Aakash Chopra has lauded Sanju Samson for scoring a pleasing century in the first T20I between India and South Africa in Durban. He noted that while fans usually demand fair treatment for Samson, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter treated the Proteas bowlers unfairly.
Samson smashed 107 runs off 50 deliveries as India posted 202/8 after being asked to bat first on Friday, November 8. The visitors then bundled the hosts out for 141 to register a comprehensive 61-run win.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener pointed out that Samson virtually toyed with the South African bowlers.
"He batted very well. Everyone asks for justice for Sanju and he is doing injustice to the bowlers, that only he would play when he plays. He destroys but there is no sound. He doesn't do the blacksmith's job. He hits eight to 10 sixes but with such timing, that you keep praising while watching him," he said (5:20).
Chopra added that the right-handed batter makes batting seem easy.
"He makes batting extremely easy. He makes batting worth watching. That's what makes Sanju so special. So well done Sanju Samson. Absolutely stellar because of the way he played and he made this match in his name," he observed.
Sanju Samson struck seven fours and 10 sixes during his innings. He added 66 runs for the second wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (21 off 17) and 77 runs for the third wicket with Tilak Varma (33 off 18).
"That is difficult for a variety of reasons" - Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson scoring his 2nd successive T20I century
![Sanju Samson played a 111-run knock in India's last T20I against Bangladesh. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/cc05b-17311228524973-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Sanju Samson's achievement of scoring two successive T20I centuries was a tough task.
"He became the first Indian to score two consecutive T20I centuries. He scored one in Hyderabad, that was against Bangladesh. From there you reached South Africa - Kingsmead, Durban, and now that is difficult for a variety of reasons," he said (4:00).
The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the conditions at the two venues were completely different.
"The conditions were very different. Hyderabad was a flat pitch and we know those conditions. Kingsmead has bounce and pace, you have the South African attack in front of you, and the conditions were also slightly overcast. There was also a gap between the two matches," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra added that the gap between the two series meant that Samson had to restart virtually from scratch.
"If you are playing in a series, once you get form, you can maintain it and take it forward. However, not when the two series are different and there is a gap of one-and-a-quarter months in between. Then you feel you have to start from zero and find the rhythm once again. There should be applause if you are able to do that," he said.
Chopra also noted that Samson's cause was helped by the Indian team management giving him a consistent run. The Player of the Match in Friday's game disclosed in a post-match interview that Suryakumar Yadav had told him during the Duleep Trophy that he would be opening for India in all seven T20Is against Bangladesh and South Africa.