Sanju Samson has been riding a wave of praise after hitting back-to-back T20I centuries for India, a feat no Indian batter had previously achieved at the international level. Having struck a century against Bangladesh last month, he followed it up with another scintillating hundred against South Africa in Durban. Now opening the innings in T20Is, Samson’s knock of 107 off just 50 balls, laced with seven boundaries and 10 sixes, was instrumental in India’s formidable total of 202/8.
South Africa, in response, fell short, managing only 141 in 17.5 overs. After the game, a reporter asked Samson to evaluate his performance as an opener.
With a playful grin, Sanju Samson quipped, “Opener aapko maine dikha diya mai kaisa dikhta hoon. Baaki aap bolein mai kaisa dikhta hoon,” loosely translating to, “I’ve shown you how I am as an opening batter; now you tell me how I look.” His response sparked laughter among those present, showcasing his confident yet light-hearted personality.
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Reflecting on India’s aggressive strategy, Sanju Samson shared insights into the team’s approach to play “all in,” regardless of challenging conditions. He noted that the mindset has been in place for a couple of years, especially after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 earlier this year.
“Even if we lose the toss or the conditions favor the bowlers, our goal is still to play aggressively. We can’t settle for a target of 160-170, even on tricky pitches, because we know chasing could get easier for the opposition,” Sanju Samson explained, emphasizing India’s commitment to staying on the front foot.
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Samson also highlighted India’s ambition to perform with the mindset of a world champion. “As the current world champions, it’s essential that we play with that intent—to dominate and impose ourselves on every game in this format,” he added.
India’s victory over South Africa in Durban reaffirmed their status as T20 champions, with Samson’s stellar performance marking a significant milestone for Indian cricket in the shorter format.