Sanju Samson has continued his brilliant form in 2022. While he was ignored from the T20 side and even the reserves, Samson has done well recently in his chances in ODIs.
The Rajasthan Royals captain on Thursday played a terrific hand of 86* runs off 63 balls and kept India’s hope alive in the run-chase of 250 on a treacherous pitch in Lucknow in a rain-curtailed 40-over-a-side match against South Africa.
However, Samson’s valiant effort went in vain as India fell 10 runs short of the target, and South Africa took a 1-0 series lead in the 3-ODI series.
Chasing 250 in 40 overs, India found themselves in trouble at 51/4 in the 18th over before Shreyas Iyer counter-attacked, scoring 50 runs off 37 balls but his innings was ended by Lungi Ngidi. Samson then found Shardul Thakur as an equally aggressive partner and both put up an entertaining partnership of 93 runs off 66 balls.
Sanju Samson played his best ODI innings
With 59 runs needed off the last 4 overs, Thakur smashed Rabada for three fours in an over, but got out to Ngidi in the next over where Kuldeep also got out. India needed 37 runs in the last 12 balls, but Avesh Khan wasted the penultimate over as he missed most of his slogs to Rabada.
The equation came down to 29 needed off the last 6 balls, the last over bowled by spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Samson produced a miraculous ray of hope as he whacked Shamsi 6, 4, and 4 on the first three balls.
With 15 required off the last 3 balls, however, Samson mistimed one hit and it was effectively over. The Kerala batter remained not out on 86 off 63 balls, walloping 9 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. Even though Samson couldn’t finish off the run-chase, this is perhaps the trailer of what is to come in the coming years should the right-hander manage to find a regular place in the Indian side, which seems likely going forward.
Fans on Twitter couldn’t keep calm as they praised Sanju Samson non-stop. Here are the reactions of fans on Samson’s superb hand:
Well fought, Sanju Samson. This fightback has been fantastic from 51 for 4 in the 18th over: 86* runs from just 63 balls. pic.twitter.com/0LIgQaBVSp
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 6, 2022
That was a valiant effort from Sanju Samson. Tough luck but a very high quality innings.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 6, 2022
Well played Sanju Samson. Hard luck for now winning the game
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 6, 2022
Not the desired result for his team. But Happy for Sanju Samson – 86 not out. Highest ODI score will give him great belief and confidence going forward.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 6, 2022
Still feel Sanju Samson should have been in the reserves for World Cup. More suited for the Aus pitches @IamSanjuSamson #INDvSA
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 6, 2022
What a knock by Sanju Samson – 86* in just 63 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. Almost took India over the line, an innings worth a million appreciation!
Take a bow, Sanju! pic.twitter.com/ygD2s72XWM
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 6, 2022
Some hilarious criticism on TL for Sanju Samson being ‘slow’ in his first 50 runs.
Walked in with 20+ overs remaining, team on 51/4 and the next batter being Shardul. What do you expect? 🙄
Samson’s here to stay, unlike before, whether you like it or not.#INDvSA #SanjuSamson
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 6, 2022
If I had a choice between Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson for a place in the World Cup squad, I know who I would choose.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) October 6, 2022
Respect, Sanju V Samson. 💗🇮🇳
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 6, 2022
If only the tail gave Samson a few more balls. Three. Even two.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) October 6, 2022
Sanju Samson has 40+ scores in four of his seven ODIs (three of them in 2022)
He’s also made 39 (25), 18 (12), 77 (42), 30* (23), 15 (11) in the five T20Is this year.
May not be in the T20 WC squad, but will be an integral part of the limited-overs team after that 💪#INDvSA
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 6, 2022
Top class from sanju Samson, very aggressive, very impressive, you deserve the applause!! @IamSanjuSamson
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 6, 2022
Opening the account with a six, Samson style. pic.twitter.com/vc3gMTenBe
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 6, 2022
What A Marvelous Innings by Sanju Samson 🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/IsBt25EM0E
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) October 6, 2022
So close yet so far 💔
Sanju Samson, take a bow! 🫶#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/o4Wswq60kh
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) October 6, 2022
Indians to Sanju Samson during last over pic.twitter.com/mWDfAzIZoR
— Lakshman (@Rebel_notout) October 6, 2022
