Samson smashes Delhi to IPL success
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.
There goes the final one.
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) April 11, 2017
Let the party begin!#DDTweets#RPSvDD#DilDilliHai
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.
Congratulations to our #DilliBoy #SanjuSamson on scoring the first century of the #IPL10. #DDTweets#RPSvDD#DilDilliHai pic.twitter.com/7BuUnuGZf4
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) April 11, 2017
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.