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Samson smashes Delhi to IPL success

Delhi Daredevils batsman Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson blasted the first century of the 2017 Indian Premier League as Delhi Daredevils got themselves off the mark with a crushing 97-run victory over Rising Pune Supergiant.

The 22-year-old could only manage 13 in Delhi's opening round defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore, but he found the groove in Pune with a stunning 102 from only 63 balls.

Having arrived at the crease with Delhi 2-1, Samson hit five sixes and a further eight boundaries as Pune suffered a second defeat out of three.

Chris Morris ensured the Daredevils finished with a flourish - the South Africa all-rounder hitting 38 off just nine balls as they posted 205-4.

Zaheer Khan (3-20), Pat Cummins (2-24) and Morris (1-19) then set about the Pune top order with Ajinkya Rahane, Faf du Plessis and Ben Stokes all dismissed cheaply before Amit Mishra (3-11) got in on the act.

By the eighth over Pune - without captain Steve Smith due to illness - were 54-5 and were unable to build any momentum, the visitors bowled out for just 108.

Pune had made a great start, as Deepak Chahar removed Aditya Tare with the seventh ball of the day, Dhoni taking a neat catch behind the stumps.

Unfortunately for Supergiant that brought Samson to the crease and he built a 69-run stand with Sam Billings (24), the biggest partnership of the match.

Samson's aggressive approach saw him clear the boundary over long-off and midwicket on numerous occasions.

He went to 50 off 41 deliveries and duly stepped on the accelerator, reaching three figures 21 balls later with a huge six off Adam Zampa.

Next ball Zampa had his revenge as he bowled the number three, but Morris' blistering onslaught - which included three sixes - saw 76 come from the last four overs.

Scoreboard pressure was immediately applied on Pune as they struggled to make a solid start, Zaheer removing both openers inside five overs.

Du Plessis, Stokes and Dhoni all failed, the big-money England all-rounder removed by Australia quick Cummins, with Dhoni snaffled in the deep as Mishra came to the party.

Mishra also took a sensational diving catch to remove last man Ashok Dinda, completing an emphatic success.

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