Sanju Samson’s scripts history with terrific century against South Africa in Durban

Indian wicketkeeper and batter Sanju Samson became the fourth batter in the history of T20I cricket to score 2 successive centuries. The 29-year-old joined the likes of Gustav McKeon of France, along with Rilee Rossouw and Phil Salt, to achieve this memorable feat in Durban on Friday. 

Sanju Samson got to his 100 in just 47 balls, which was the fastest by any Indian batter against South Africa. The previous fastest century in T20I for India against the Proteas was scored by Suryakumar Yadav in 2023 off 55 balls. It is also the highest score by a batter in India vs South Africa T20I series. David Miller’s 106 against India was the previous best. 

Samson’s innings was finally ended when he holed out a catch to Tristan Stubbs for 107. The knock came off 50 balls with 7 fours and 10 sixes as the Indian star perished to Nqabayomzi Peter in the 16th over of the innings. Samson also tied the record for the most sixes by an Indian in a T20I game. Rohit Sharma also hit ten sixes during his century against Sri Lanka in 2017 in Indore. 

Sanju Samson’s century helps India pile up huge total 

After scoring a century in his previous T20I game, Sanju Samson took the attack to the South African bowlers. The 29-year-old played classy shots to set the tone of the game as the men in blue dominated the South African bowlers. 

Samson scored his fifty off 27 balls with two sixes off successive balls off Peter. The run scoring didn’t stop as Samson unleashed more carnage with his next fifty runs coming in just 20 balls. The home fans were left in shock as the 29-year-old belted fours and sixes at will. 

Once he reached his century, the Indian wicketkeeper batter looked up at the sky and thanked the stars. This century completes his huge return to form after having struggled to score runs during the Sri Lankan tour. 

Team India had reached 194 in the 19th over with Axar Patel batting on 7. Rinku Singh was caught behind off Coetzee for 11 as Heinrich Klaasen completed a smart low catch. Hardik Pandya scored just 2 runs before holing out to Marco Jansen off Coetzee. 

Earlier in the day, Abhishek Sharma was out for 7 to give Coetzee his first wicket. South African pacer ended with 3/37 from four overs and was the best bowler of the night. Suryakumar Yadav (21) and Tilak Varma with 33 were the other main scorers. In the end India ended with 202 from their 20 overs as the home team have a stiff target to chase to win the game.