Durban [South Africa], November 9, 2024: Sanju Samson, who has been on a remarkable run of form, reached an emotional milestone on Friday with his second consecutive T20I century.
The 29-year-old’s stunning 107 off 50 balls not only helped India secure a solid victory over South Africa in the first T20I at Kingsmead but also etched his name in the record books, making him only the fourth player to score back-to-back centuries in T20I history.
After his century in the final T20I against Bangladesh, Samson continued his momentum, smashing seven fours and an impressive 10 sixes to reach his 107. His knock now stands as the highest individual score in a T20I between India and South Africa, surpassing David Miller’s unbeaten 106 in Guwahati in 2022.
Reflecting on his journey, Samson expressed a deep sense of gratitude and fulfillment. “If I think a lot, I’ll get emotional. I waited for this moment for 10 years. I’m very happy, grateful, and blessed,” he said post-innings. However, he emphasized his desire to stay grounded and focus on enjoying the moment. “I would like to keep my feet on the ground, be in the moment, and enjoy,” he added.
Samson’s power-packed innings provided the perfect foundation for India’s 61-run triumph, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Speaking about his time at the crease, Samson described the joy he felt playing with freedom. “Really enjoyed my time in the middle. Playing it well, maximum utilization of my current form, you can say,” he noted. His aggressive approach aligned with the team’s strategy of prioritizing attack, reflecting a renewed intent to keep the team’s momentum strong.
“The intent is to be aggressive and put the team ahead of yourself. Once you play three or four balls, you’re looking for the boundary. I’m not thinking much—sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. Happy it worked out well today,” Samson said during the presentation.
Acknowledging the challenge of facing South Africa on their home turf, Samson highlighted the importance of starting the series with a win. “It was crucial, knowing the home advantage South Africa has. They are a gun side, and it was important to start the series well,” he concluded.
Following their victory in Durban, India heads to Gqeberha for the second T20I against the Proteas on Sunday, with Samson’s extraordinary performance setting a high standard for the rest of the series.
