Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor accorded a grand welcome to Indian cricket star Sanju Samson upon his return to Kerala after his explosive maiden T20I century against Bangladesh.
Samson’s scintillating knock of 111 off just 47 balls powered India to a record total of 297/6, their highest-ever score in T20I history by a full-member ICC nation. His innings, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes, also earned him the distinction of hitting the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 40 balls.
This extraordinary performance helped India complete a 3-0 clean sweep of the series with a commanding 133-run victory in the final game on Saturday.
Reflecting on his breakthrough performance, Samson expressed a mixture of relief and determination. “(I am) very happy that they (teammates) are happy I did well. It can get frustrating knowing what you can do out there, and I have also felt I can do much better,” he admitted during the post-match presentation.
The Kerala-born cricketer also acknowledged the challenges of inconsistent form but emphasized the importance of staying focused. “Playing for your country, that pressure was there, but I wanted to perform and wanted to show. But I still kept it basic and wanted to take it by one ball (at a time),” Samson shared.
Samson credited the team leadership for standing by him through ups and downs. “The leadership tells me they back me no matter what… not just in words but in actions also. Last series, I got two ducks and went back to Kerala thinking what will happen, but I’m here,” he said, grateful for the faith shown in him.
Tharoor, in his social media post, celebrated Samson’s homecoming and honored him with a “ponnada,” a blue ceremonial shawl, in recognition of his achievements.
Samson’s maiden T20I century has not only cemented his place in the Indian team but has also inspired aspiring cricketers across the country. His journey from a small town in Kerala to the international stage is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities.
