#SAvIND-1stT20I-2024 : Sanju Samson’s Blistering Second T20I Ton Helps India Rout South Africa By 61 Runs

Picture : BCCI/ X

Powered by a brilliant second T20I International hundred by Sanju Samson, India beat South Africa by 61 runs in the first T20I at Durban. Sanju now joins an elite group of players who have achieved this rare feat, including France’s Gustav Mckeon, South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw and England’s Phil Salt. Samson scored his first T20I hundred against Bangladesh in October 2024 at Hyderabad.

Earlier, South Africa Skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and asked India to bat first . India lost opener Abhishek Sharma early for (7) only . Skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not score big as he fell for ( 21), Tilak Varma ( 33), Hardik Pandya ( 2) , Rinku Singh ( 11), Axar Patel ( 7) di not bother the scoreboard. But unfazed by wickets falling around him, Sanju Samson played a gem of an attacking innings. He hit the bowlers all-around the park . Samson was breathtaking as scored an aggressive 107 off just 50 balls ( 7 fours, 10 6 sixes) . It was the Sanju blitz that helped India reach an imposing 202/ 8 in their 20 overs.

Proteas got the wickets at regular intervals but Samson’s innings proved crucial at the end . The South African bowlers had a mixed day And their figures said it all. Marco Jansen 1/ 24 ( 4 overs) , Keshav Maharaj 1/ 34 ( 4 overs) , Aiden Markram 0/ 10 (1 over) , Gerald Coetzee was the pick among them with 3/ 37 ( 4 overs), Nqabayomzi Peter 1/ 35 ( 3 overs), Patrick Kruger 1/ 35 ( 2 overs) , Andile Simelane 0/ 27 ( 2 overs)

In reply to the big total, South Africa Skipper Aiden Markram showed good intent smashing two fours in first over by Arshdeep Singh . But Singh soon had his revenge with a beauty ball coming in taking the edge off his bat for an easy catch to Sanju Samson behind the wicket. Markram out for (8). The Proteas lost wickets with none of their batsmen getting a big one after starts – Ryan Rickelton ( 21) , Tristan Stubbs who impressed in Tata IPL 2024 fell for ( 11). The dangerous duo – Heinrich Klaasen ( 25) and David Miller ( 11) fell cheaply to give India the edge. The rest of the batting line-up folded and found the total daunting – Patrick Kruger ( 1), Marco Jansen ( 12), Andile Simelane ( 6), Gerald Coetzee ( 23) ,  Keshav Maharaj ( 5) and Nqabayomzi Peter not out ( 5). South Africa bowled out for 141/ 10 in 17. 5 overs.

India bowlers were on target from the start – Arshdeep Singh 1/ 25 ( 3 overs), Avesh Khan 2/ 28 ( 2.5 overs), Hardik Pandya had an off day with both bat and ball 0/ 27 ( 3 overs) , Spinners -Varun Chakaravarthy  3/ 25 ( 4 overs)  , Ravi Bishnoi  3/ 28 ( 4 overs) joined the party. Axar Patel  0/ 8 ( 1 over)

Match: 1st T20I
Venue: Durban | Date: Nov 08, 2024