Sanju Samson scored his maiden ODI century against the Proteas on Thursday -- becoming the third one-down Indian batter to cross the three-digit mark in South Africa. It took the gifted right-hander eight years since his international debut to finally score a century which may come as a shock to many.
Samson (108 off 114 balls) found a perfect sidekick in the patient Tilak Varma, who struck his first ODI fifty (52 off 77 balls), as they milked 116 precious runs for the fourth-wicket to place India in a position to win the series. The duo's partnership powered the visitors to a strong 296/8 in 50 overs.
Usually a free-flowing hitter, Samson shelved his macho intentions for a large part of his innings, concentrating on singles and twos as the Boland Park pitch also had this slight bite on it. But the right-hander intermittently brought out his T20 avatar into play like when he smashed pacer Nandre Burger for a big six over mid-wicket or while executing an exquisite inside-out loft over cover off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for a four.
Following the sensible innings, fellow players, cricket pundits, and his IPL team Rajasthan Royals congratulated Samson. Numerous political leaders from Kerala were also thrilled by his classy knock. They shared their happiness online and congratulated the wicket-keeper batter on his home state's behalf.
Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, a vocal supporter of Samson in highs and lows, shared an image of the batter's younger years on social media.
"So proud of Sanju Samson for his superb knock against South Africa in the deciding ODI! A terrific 108 from 114 balls with 6x4s and 3x6s — let’s hope it’s enough to propel the #BoysInBlue to a series win!," Tharoor jotted.
PA Muhammad Riyas, Kerala's Tourism minister jotted that all Keralites were proud of Samson's "stunning performance." "Provided he is constantly backed by the selectors, the present and future of Indian cricket will be remembered in this Malayali star's name," Riyas, the youngest member of the Kerala cabinet wrote on Facebook.
Riyas's cabinet colleague and former Assembly Speaker MB Rajesh also shared his excitement on social media. "Sanju has excelled once again! This Malayali player is cementing his place in the Indian team with his first century in ODIs... Kerala is waiting for Sanju's exciting innings to come. Come on, Sanju," the state minister for Local Self-Governments and Excise added.
Meanwhile, from the Opposition fold, former state chief of the Indian Youth Congress and incumbent Palakkad MLA Shafi Parambil took a dig at Sanju's "haters" in the light of the match. He reposted a meme shared by Rajasthan Royals to share his appreciation. It depicted Samson as Superman -- a saviour that people around looked up to.
Shafi's party colleague and Angamaly MLA Roji M John also shared his joy online. He described the century as a moment much awaited.
Sanju Samson's landmark moment arrived when he pushed spinner Keshav Maharaj to long-off for a single as the dressing room went on its feet to applaud a fine dig.
Samson was dismissed as he tried to up the ante as a skier off pacer Lizaad Williams was snaffled by Reeza Hendricks inside the rings. His innings included six boundaries and three maximums.