November 9, 2024: Aakash Chopra’s praise for Sanju Samson following his brilliant 107* in the first T20I against South Africa is well-deserved.
Samson’s innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, combining sheer timing with effortless sixes. The way he consistently dispatched the ball to the boundaries while maintaining perfect balance between aggression and control caught the attention of cricket fans and experts alike.
Chopra’s comment about Samson “doing injustice to the bowlers” speaks volumes about the kind of impact Samson has on the game. He can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs, and his ability to clear the boundary with ease is a testament to his skill. What makes it even more impressive is the way he does it almost silently, with minimal fuss, which is rare for someone who hits as big as he does.
Samson’s ability to make batting look effortless, as Chopra mentioned, is a rare trait in modern cricket. It takes a lot of composure and precision to make batting look so natural while playing shots of such power. His consistency, especially in the T20 format, is turning him into one of India’s most valuable limited-overs players, and performances like this only add to his growing reputation.
With a score of 107 off 50 balls, Samson also broke the record for the highest individual score in a T20I between India and South Africa, surpassing David Miller’s 106. It’s a huge achievement for him and highlights his growing influence on the international stage.