Sanju Samson’s maiden T20I century, the second-fastest by an Indian, propelled India to a series-clinching victory over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I on Saturday. Samson’s blistering knock, which came off just 49 deliveries, showcased his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
Despite the pressure of chasing a challenging target, Samson remained unfazed. He played with a fearless approach, unleashing a barrage of boundaries and sixes. Even when approaching the century mark, he refused to slow down, opting instead to maintain his aggressive intent.
In a post-match interview with India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Samson expressed his joy and gratitude for the milestone. He acknowledged the challenges of reaching the triple-digit figure but emphasized his belief in his abilities.
“I just kept on doing my work, kept on believing in myself, and happy that you were there with me to celebrate that hundred,” Samson said to Suryakumar, who was at the non-striker’s end during his historic innings.
Yadav praised Samson’s performance, calling it “one of the best hundreds I have ever seen.” He also inquired about Samson’s decision-making process while batting in the 90s.
Samson explained that the team’s positive atmosphere and the encouragement from Yadav and head coach Rahul Dravid gave him the confidence to continue attacking. He revealed that Yadav had advised him to take it easy when he was on 96, but he chose to remain aggressive.
“The message is, go be aggressive and humble. These are the two words that our captain and coach keep reminding us. So, I think that suits my nature, my character, so I just kept on going for it,” Samson said.
Samson’s century not only secured India’s series victory but also underlined his status as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket. His ability to combine power with finesse makes him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.
