Sanju Samson, who scored a century against Bangladesh in the last T20, has now done the same against South Africa in Durban. In the first T20 of the series, Samson’s explosive knock of 107 runs off 50 balls, including 10 sixes and 7 fours, led India to a 61-run victory over the Proteas.
India, batting first after losing the toss, posted 202 runs, largely thanks to Samson’s power hitting. In response, South Africa was bowled out for just 141.
Last month, Samson also scored a blistering 111 runs off 47 balls, including 8 sixes and 11 fours, against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. With today’s century, Samson became the first Indian batsman to score consecutive T20 centuries.
Only three other players have managed to score consecutive T20 centuries: France’s Gustav Mekkian, South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, and England’s Phil Salt. Among Test-playing nations, only two players have achieved this feat.
Samson also set a record for the most sixes in a T20 innings between India and South Africa, with 10 sixes. The previous record was 8, held by Rossouw and Suryakumar Yadav.
In addition to Samson’s brilliance, Tilak Varma contributed with a quick 33 off 18 balls. Despite a late slump, where India could only manage 34 runs in the final 5 overs, they ended up with a solid total.
South Africa struggled to chase down the target, unable to get close, thanks to Varun Chakravarthy’s excellent spin bowling. Chakravarthy took 3 wickets for just 25 runs in his 4 overs, dismissing Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller. Ravi Bishnoi also took 3 wickets.
With this victory, India leads the 4-match series 1-0.
