After scoring his second consecutive T20I century, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson acknowledged the confidence he has gained from the clear backing of the team management. In the third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson showcased his powerful hitting with a knock of 107, featuring seven fours and 10 massive sixes. His innings in the opening T20I against South Africa continued this impressive run, breaking records along the way—Samson’s 107 now stands as the highest individual score between India and South Africa in T20Is, surpassing David Miller’s 106 in 2022.
Reflecting on the recent support he’s received, Samson shared in an interview on Jio Cinema how conversations with captain Suryakumar Yadav helped bolster his confidence. “While playing in the Duleep Trophy, Surya came to me and said, ‘You have the next seven matches as an opener, and I’ll support you through it.’ For the first time, I had such clarity about my role, and that has made a huge difference,” Samson explained. “The management has been clear that I’ll be opening, so now I can focus entirely on contributing to my country.”
In the first T20I against South Africa, Aiden Markram’s side opted to field, giving India the chance to set a target. Samson’s explosive 107 off 50 balls gave India a strong start, as he scored at a strike rate of 214. Contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma helped push India to a total of 202/8, with South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee taking three wickets for 37 runs in his four overs.
During South Africa’s chase, India’s bowling attack proved to be too much for the hosts. None of South Africa’s batters crossed the 30-run mark, with Heinrich Klaasen and Coetzee being the top scorers. Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi led the Indian bowlers, each claiming three wickets and restricting South Africa to just 141, sealing the win with two overs remaining.
Sanju Samson’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award. India now leads the series and will look to carry their momentum into the second T20I in Gqeberha on Sunday.
