After not getting a chance to bat in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Sanju Samson played a crucial knock – in the context of the game and his international career – during the second T20I in Dharamsala.
However, fans were left wanting for more from the talented batsman as he was dismissed for 39 runs off 25 balls. His partnership of 84 runs from 47 balls with Shreyas Iyer put India in the driver’s seat in the chase of 184.
Samson, who has played 11 T20Is spread across six years, came into bat when India were in a bit of a pickle at 44/2 in the last over of the powerplay chasing a big target. 7 overs later, when he got out, he left the chase under absolute control at 128/3 at the 13-over mark with the required run rate of 8 an over – that proved to be a comfortable task for Shreyas and Jadeja.
Samson’s innings was of two halves. He started slowly, dotting out some deliveries and tapping around singles. He was 6 off 12 when he got the quirk of luck on his side: Samson pulled Shanaka towards the deep square leg fielder who ran in and dove forward to take the catch, however, he could only manage fingertips to it and worse – he let the ball go to the boundary.
That was the luck that Samson needed when making a comeback to the side as he trudged to 17 off 19 balls while Iyer went bonkers at the other end. And then came the Lahiru Kumara over that had the fans gasping at Samson’s talent once again despite having seen him in full flow regularly in the IPL.
First ball of Kumara’s third over, the 13th of the innings, saw Samson inside edging for a boundary, where in the deep the fielder made a mess of what should have been no more than 2 runs.
Next – Samson unleased. Second ball, Samson picked the slower ball and muscled it down the ground straight over the bowler’s head for a six. The under-pressure Kumara then sprayed a wide outside off – that made the bowler’s plan further clear to Samson, who then launched the next slot delivery over cover for another maximum. The crowd went beserk as the ball landed deep in the stands.
They were about to go even crazier as Samson hammered the fifth ball of the over, a length delivery right in his arc, once again down the ground in a stylish manner for the third six of the over – effectively putting the game in India’s basket.
Samson’s entertaining knock then came to an end via an outstanding, memorable catch from Binura Fernando who leapt with one hand out at short third man off Samson’s thick outside edge and grabbed the ball, leaving everyone, including himself stunned. Samson walked back to much applause from the crowd and his teammates as he had made the job easier for the remainder of the chase.
Fans went through a roller-coaster emotional ride as Samson’s comeback yielded positive results.
Sanju Samson showed his big hitting ability. Made the most of this opportunity
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 26, 2022
Sanju Samson among the batters I love watching destroy a cricket ball.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 26, 2022
Idk what say ?
I waited for looong time ,to see this man hitting sixes in Indian jersey ?
#SanjuSamson #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/r0ZTomas1n— Bobby? (@prathinnnn) February 26, 2022
Sanju Samson chose high pace to feast on. One of the few who can hit a good length high pace ball over covers with such grace and power.
— Cricket With Ash (@CricketWithAsh) February 26, 2022
It’s always so exciting to see Sanju Samson’s aesthetic, full of flair batting. One of those batters who can take away games as smoothly as a hot knife cutting through butter. Power, timing, ability to play hard lengths. Add some consistency and what a package he will be.
— Ricky talks Cricket (@CricRicky) February 26, 2022
This is what Sanju Samson is Capable of. A Mixture of Pure Class + Power. Absolute Beast.
Don’t write him off Just YET.
— Ash (@TheCricketArk) February 26, 2022
Exquisite batting display by Shreyas Iyer, this guy deserves so much credit!
Lovely to see Sanju Samson in runs, what an over off Kumara ‘dhaga khol diya’
Tricky chase & youngsters stepping up with Jaddu’s lovely finishing touch to it.
Another series win for captain Rohit Sharma.— Shrutika Gaekwad (@Shrutika_45_) February 26, 2022
That range over the offside!! That is Sanju Samson
— Dave (@CricketDave27) February 26, 2022
That is the Sanju Samson everyone knows.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 26, 2022
Sanju Samson played after 7 long months and was in a mood, One outstanding catch ended his innings #INDvSL #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/wnVW0NdxA1
— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) February 26, 2022
Wow, that was some batting from Shreyas and Sanju Samson….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 26, 2022
Sunil Gavaskar: Sanju Samson is one of my favourite players. To see him come good was fantastic.
— Global Spot League Official (@GlobalLeagues) February 26, 2022
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