The young wicket-keeping batsman, Sanju Samson has never become a consistent member of the Indian team after making his debut in Zimbabwe a few years ago. He has been touted to have loads of talent, but injuries and dipping form have pulled him back to a significant extent. Earlier in his career, he was often been termed as an apt replacement of none other than MS Dhoni.
Samson started becoming a household name in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and captured everyone’s imagination. Then he moved to the Delhi Capitals (DC), then Daredevils. However, the Royals brought him back again last year and he turned out to be a crucial cog for the franchise. The talented wicketkeeper-batsman has made a fantastic start to even this edition’s IPL.
In the first match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), he scored a handy 30, and now, he had come up with a masterclass of a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. He came to bat after Rashid Khan rattled opening batsman Jos Buttler’s woodwork in the fourth over.
WATCH – Samson Clobbered 24 Runs Off Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Samson started playing his strokes after a cautious start without nurturing any inhibitions. First, he stitched a crucial partnership of 119 runs with his skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who also notched 70 runs from 49 deliveries with four fours and three sixes. After the latter got out to Shahbaz Nadeem, Samson didn’t stop and carried on in his own merry way to eventually score 102 from 54 balls.
His knock was laced with 10 boundaries and four over-boundaries. He has been a fulcrum of the Royals’ setup and he showed the reasons behind the same. In the meantime, Twitter showered praises for his maiden IPL century. He also became the first player to score a ton in this edition’s IPL.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Sanju Samson….incredible talent. 123 runs in the last ten overs. Bhuvi went for 45 in the last two overs. Unbelievable. #SRHvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 29, 2019
I normally don’t like to talk about individuals in cricket. But seeing his skills I am glad to note that Sanju Samson is currently the best Wicketkeeper batsman in India. For me he should be batting number 4 in the World Cup @BCCI @rajasthanroyals @IPL @StarSportsIndia
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2019
I know he is not consistent enough at the domestic level etc, but when on song, how many Indians can bat like Sanju Samson does? Not many. 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏#RRvsSRH
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 29, 2019
When you see Sanju Samson bat as he has done today, you wonder why and how he lost his way in the past 3-4 years. When he burst on the season, he was the next ‘Big Thing’.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 29, 2019
Games when Sanju Samson scores runs are always good days to watch cricket. I love this kid. His offside play tonight was just on point. As @bhogleharsha said, if he can get it together,,,what possibilities. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 29, 2019
Sanju Samson is the first to score 2 centuries in IPL before turning 25 years of age. #SRHvRR
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 29, 2019
annual reminder of just how delicious sanju samson's strokeplay can be #SRHvRR
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 29, 2019
Sumptuous timing, cracking placement, exquisite ease, resonant strokeplay & languid charm… Sanju Samson is a thing of beauty when he gets going! #SRHvRR @IamSanjuSamson
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) March 29, 2019
High class hundred for Sanju Samson against one of the best bowling lineups in the IPL. Brilliant 👏 #SRHvRR
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 29, 2019
24 of the classiest runs hit in an over. What an absolute delight it is to watch Sanju Samson bat.. Has that extra second like Rohit Sharma… Timing… Beautiful batting @rajasthanroyals #SRHvRR
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 29, 2019
2017: Sanju Samson scored a first century of the season!
2019: Sanju Samson scored a first century of the season!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 29, 2019
Sanju Samson is in 💦💦💦
Ridonculously talented, no one can change my mind about that.— Akki (@CrickPotato) March 25, 2019
Stunning Sanju Samson! And there is a certain calm about him. First 100 this @IPL Bhuvi isn’t able to get his line right all evening.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 29, 2019
