Sanju Samson has been on the fringes of India’s national squad for years but has often found his opportunities limited. The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter was selected for the T20 World Cup 2024 but, unfortunately, spent the entire tournament on the bench, only getting a spot in the lineup when first-choice players were unavailable.
Now, with consistent chances in the current series, Sanju Samson has proven his mettle, notching consecutive centuries and showcasing his explosive batting style. Samson’s latest achievement is historic; he became the first Indian player to score back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket. In the first T20I in Durban, he took charge when most of the Indian lineup struggled, hammering 107 off just 50 balls in a display of power and precision.
His blistering knock lifted India to a competitive 202, setting up a 61-run victory over South Africa and reinforcing Samson’s impact on the team’s batting lineup. After the game, captain Suryakumar Yadav praised Samson’s dedication and selflessness, noting that Samson didn’t slow down even when he was in the 90s.
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“The amount of hard work he has put in over the last few years, doing the boring work, he is reaping the rewards of that now. Even when he was in the 90s, he kept looking for boundaries, putting the team first. It shows the character of the man, and that’s exactly what we value,” Suryakumar Yadav remarked at the post-match presentation.
Selectors boldly chose Suryakumar as T20I captain over Hardik Pandya, and he has excelled in the role, winning his first four games. Reflecting on his captaincy, Suryakumar credited his teammates for their fearless approach, which has made his role easier.
He highlighted the team’s commitment to an aggressive playing style, stating, “The boys have made my job easier. There’s no baggage, just fearless cricket. Whether we lose a few wickets or not, we play with intent. In T20, even if we can reach 200 in 17 overs, why hold back?”
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With this new “fearless” brand of cricket, Suryakumar Yadav and his team are determined to clinch the series against South Africa, continuing their streak and building momentum for future challenges.
