“You are a adipoli buddy!!” – Cricket fraternity reacts to Sanju Samson’s scintillating century during 1st SA vs IND T20I
Sanju Samson outperformed with the bat in the first T20I of the four-match series against South Africa in Kingsmead, Durban on Friday, November 8. Opening India’s batting, Samson kicked off the innings on a high note and eventually scored his second consecutive T20I century.
Winning the toss, the hosts put the Men in Blue to bat first as Samson opened the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. The latter was dismissed cheaply, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who walked out to bat at No. 3, too could manage to add only 21 runs on board.
Tilak Varma and Samson formed a formidable partnership, with the former contributing 33 runs off 18 deliveries before being dismissed by Keshav Maharaj. Samson, meanwhile, stood firm on the other end and scored a brilliant century to keep India’s scoreboard ticking.
Here's how the cricket fraternity reacted to Samson's knock:
“Pure talent and class on display Congratulations, @IamSanjuSamson, on a brilliant 100. Keep shining!” wrote Irfan Pathan.
“Wowwwww This new look T20 INDIAN team is brilliant to watch Well done @IamSanjuSamson Strength to strength,” wrote Dinesh Karthik.
“Well Played Sanju Samson Treat to watch,” wrote Dimuth Karunarathna.
"Sanjooo..... Samsonnn. Special.," wrote Ravi Shastri.
"Sanju Samson got an identity and a billion fans as a t20i opener," tweeted Mohammad Kaif.
India finish at 202/8, Sanju Samson top scores with 107
Sanju Samson was eventually dismissed for 107(50) when Nqabayomzi Peter dismissed him in the 16th over. Nonetheless, courtesy of his brilliant knock, India managed to put up a good total.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma’s knocks added to India’s total as other batters failed to contribute with the bat. Samson, meanwhile, notched up seven fours and a whopping 10 sixes, finishing with a strike rate of 214.
Samson’s wicket was followed by a collapse, as the lower order fumbled in the death overs. Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, registering 3/37 in his four-over spell. Marco Jansen, Maharaj, Peter, and Patrick Kruger picked up one wicket apiece.