- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The wicket-keeper-batter missed the 50-over World Cup at home this year.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA batter Sanju Samson, who often makes the headlines for frequently finding himself in and out of the national team, on Thursday (21) scored his maiden international hundred in the third one-day international match against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl. After his feat, the 29-year-old made a gesture — flexing his muscles.
The right-hand batter, who missed this year’s 50-over World Cup at home, came out at No.3 and held together the Indian innings to score 108 off 114 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. He added 52 runs with captain KL Rahul (21) and 116 runs with Tilak Varma (52) to give his team a solid foundation. Rinku Singh later played a cameo of 38 off 27 balls and with the help of Washington Sundar (14 off nine), helped India reach 296 for 8 in 50 overs after South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and asked the visitors to bat.
For India, Rajat Patidar made international debut and scored 22 off 16 balls after opening the Indian innings.
? SAM-??? ?#SanjuSamson #SAvINDpic.twitter.com/EKH0CcbYqe
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 21, 2023
The series is tied at 1-1 and the winners of the third match will pocket it.
Samson, who was playing his 16th one-day match for India after making debut in the format in 2021, was seen exposing his right hand muscles after slamming the ton and the celebration became viral on social media in no time.
India won the first match by eight wickets but the Proteas came back strong to win the second one by an identical margin to level the series.
