Indian cricket fans were ecstatic after Sanju Samson’s record-breaking T20I century in the series opener against South Africa on November 8 in Durban. After his previous heroics against Bangladesh earlier this year, Samson became the first Indian batter to hit back-to-back T20I centuries, further cementing his growing stature in the format.
Samson’s innings in Durban showcased his remarkable power-hitting ability right from the start. Coming in as an opener, alongside Abhishek Sharma, he wasted no time in putting the South African bowlers under pressure. His 107 off just 50 balls was a spectacular knock, displaying both technical finesse and aggressive stroke play. Fans quickly drew comparisons between his promotion to the opening spot and MS Dhoni’s decision to push Rohit Sharma up the order in 2013—an experiment that paid off handsomely over the years, transforming Sharma into one of the game’s premier T20 openers.
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With the exits of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the T20I scene post-2024 World Cup, the opening spot in India’s T20I lineup became a key position, and Samson seized the opportunity with style. His stunning 111 against Bangladesh earlier this year and his recent 107 against South Africa only further highlight his potential in this role. In fact, Samson’s knock made him the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a T20I century and the fastest to score a hundred against South Africa, marking another milestone in his career.
After several years of missed opportunities, Samson’s consistency in recent performances has shown that he is finally making the most of his chances in the Indian team. His dynamic batting, particularly in the T20I format, suggests that his place in the side is now well-secured for the foreseeable future. The Durban knock has only reinforced the promise of a long and fruitful career for Samson at the highest level.
