South Africa are currently hosting India for an all-format tour. The 3-match ODI series is currently underway with the two teams tied 1-1 and playing the third and final ODI game in Boland Park, Paarl. Aiden Markram once again won the toss and elected to field first. The Men in Blue have a new side with most of the senior players absent from the squad and a potential new white-ball team is touring in Proteas.
India after being invited to bat first started off decently, with Rajat Patidar making his ODI debut and getting some 22 runs in his first match and Sai Sudharsan who scored back to back fifties in the first two ODIs got out early. Skipper KL Rahul was also back in the pavilion early with the team struggling at 101/3. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma then stitched a partnership of 116 runs partnership for the fourth wicket.
The former scored his maiden century after 8 years of his international debut, Tilak Varma played a knock of 52 runs and gave valuable support to Samson. Samson made his international debut in July 2015 and the Kerala batter has had to wait 8 years and 4 months.
Sanju Samson shines under pressure
Samson brought up his 100 in just 110 balls, hitting 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. The 29-year-old batter showed his muscle after scoring the ton. He had been an exceptional talent to the side, but he has been inconsistent whenever given a chance though he has got lesser chance than other players and deserves more play for the national side. His last highest score was against the same opposition at home where he scored 86 runs. His knock in the third ODI will be an important one as the T20 World Cup 2024 is nearing.
With the help of the batter's ton and Varma's half-century, the Men in Blue have posted a decent score of 296/8 for the Proteas. Rinku Singh the new batting sensation in white-ball cricket again firepowered towards the end scoring a valuable 38 runs off 27 balls.
Here's how fans reacted
Now imagine if our Sanju Samson was in the world cup squad. Great knock Sanju Samson. Hopefully the selectors will not do any more politics with you. congratulations for stunning innings.
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) December 21, 2023
Showing this to Surya
— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) December 21, 2023
Best No.3 Batsman for Future.
— Shekhar Kulkarni (@Shekharcoool5) December 21, 2023
Well played Sanju Samson 😍🙌
— umair khan (@ksz399) December 21, 2023
Sanju will get more chances and stand out to be a great player in future. Well played today!
— Yash Sharma (@MrYashSharma) December 21, 2023
Sanju Samson my favourite man you did it 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
— Shumaila Tanveer (@shumaila56_) December 21, 2023
MOMENT, HE WAS WAITING FOR LONG TIME 🥵🔥
— AAشR khan (@AARkhan11) December 21, 2023
Very well Played
— بتول✨ (@itzbatool33) December 21, 2023