Cricket

'Kaas ise WC khilate' - Fans react as Sanju Samson shines in 3rd ODI with maiden century against South Africa

Star India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been phenomenal in the 3rd ODI against South Africa as he smashed his maiden ODI ton in Paarl. Tilak Varma smashes maiden fifty too.

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Mathew K
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Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson (image source: Twitter)

In a thrilling encounter at Boland Park in Paarl, India faced off against South Africa in the decisive 3rd ODI of the series. Winning the toss, South African skipper Aiden Markram chose to bowl first, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. Amidst the intensity of the game, the spotlight shone brightly on the star wicketkeeper-batsman, Sanju Samson, who delivered a spectacular performance, marking his maiden ODI century.

Facing a challenging pitch, India had a shaky start with the early dismissals of openers Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudarshan. Patidar, making his debut, managed 22 runs off 16 balls, including three fours and a six, while Sudarshan contributed 10 runs off 16 balls with a boundary. The responsibility then fell on the shoulders of Sanju Samson and skipper KL Rahul, who added 52 runs for the third wicket.

Despite Rahul's departure after scoring 21 runs off 35 balls, India found stability when Tilak Varma joined Samson in the middle. The duo crafted a remarkable partnership, amassing 116 runs for the fourth wicket. Varma played a crucial role, scoring 52 runs off 77 balls, featuring five fours and a six. Even after Varma's exit, Samson continued to dominate the Proteas' bowling lineup, achieving his maiden ODI century.

India looks formidable after the 1st inning

Samson's splendid innings comprised 100 runs off 110 balls, adorned with six fours and two sixes, displaying his prowess as a reliable asset for the Indian team. In his brief ODI career, Samson has consistently impressed, amassing over 500 runs at an impressive average of 62+ and a striking strike rate of nearly 100.

In the end, India posted a formidable score of 296/8, with Rinku Singh partnering with Samson in the middle. Fans erupted with excitement and admiration for Sanju Samson's century, recognising the significance of this milestone in his burgeoning international career. To win the ongoing series, South Africa needs 297 runs in 50 overs.

Here is how fans react to Sanju Samson’s innings:

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