November 9, 2024: Sanju Samson’s recent performances have certainly captured the cricketing world’s attention, especially with his back-to-back centuries in T20Is.
The moment he shared about his chat with former coach Ravi Shastri before the Bangladesh game is a testament to the belief Shastri had in his ability to unlock something special. Shastri’s words, “You just need that one big hundred. I am telling you. And you will be fine,” seem to have worked as a catalyst, giving Samson the confidence to step up and deliver such a remarkable knock of 107 off 50 balls against South Africa.
The fact that this century broke records, surpassing David Miller’s unbeaten 106 in Guwahati, just adds to the significance of the achievement. Samson’s explosive innings, with seven fours and 10 sixes, highlighted his aggressive, fearless style of play, which has often been his trademark.
Samson’s humility in the post-match comments—saying it’s “too early to feel how special it is”—shows his grounded approach despite his remarkable achievement. His sense of perspective is refreshing; it’s clear that he is focused on continuing to build on the momentum rather than basking in the glory too soon.