(Image Source: Getty Images/BCCI)
[Saba Sports News] Sanju Samson, who debuted internationally in 2015, scored his first international century on December 21 in the third ODI against South Africa at Boland Park, Paarl. His 108 off 114 balls was pivotal in India’s 296/8 total. Sunil Gavaskar praised Samson’s performance, predicting a positive turn in his career.
Samson, batting at No. 3 for the first time in the series, seized the opportunity after not batting in the first game and a low score in the second. Post-match, he expressed his emotional journey and satisfaction with his hard work paying off. Samson and his teammate Tilak planned an aggressive approach in the final overs, contributing significantly to India’s total.
“I feel really emotional, going through the emotions now. I am very happy to achieve this. I have been putting in a lot of work, both physically and mentally, and I am happy to see the results go my way now. They bowled really well with the new ball, and the older ball was getting slower and more difficult to bat. So after KL got out, they had momentum, and Maharaj was bowling very well. But me and Tilak stuck it out and went strong at the end. We were playing an extra all-rounder today, so me and Tilak had decided that we had to go hard from the 40th over onwards,” said Sanju Samson.
South Africa, despite Tony de Zorzi’s 81-run effort, were bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs. India’s bowling was spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh’s four-wicket haul, leading to a 78-run victory and a 2-1 series win for India.