'I'll try to score lot more runs': Samson's reply to Ajay Jadeja's remark

Dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson passed the Ireland game with flying colours. The 27-year-old made a sensational comeback to the Indian team by smacking 77 runs off just 42 balls on Tuesday. 

The final T20 International of the two-match series between India and Ireland saw Sanju getting included in the playing XI as a replacement for an injured Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Opening the innings alongside Ishan Kishan, Samson grabbed the opportunity provided to him with both hands. He played an instrumental role in the first innings as India scored 225 runs. The batter looked in great touch, and the fans were hoping for a hundred.

However, Samson departed in the 17th over after scoring 77 runs. Mark Adair was responsible for sending the opening batter back to the pavilion with the help of a fine yorker. Though the 27-year-old failed to get the remarkable figure, his counterpart Deepak Hooda achieved the feat.

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja seemed disappointed with Sanju's dismissal as he carried out a detailed conversation with the batter after the match. Describing his 176-run partnership with Hooda, the Rajasthan Royals skipper said he was happy to be second fiddle to the all-rounder. However, though Sanju is happy with his performance, he wants to have a T20I hundred. 

"It was a good game. The partnership we had, in that type of condition, there was some movement off the wicket and the bowlers were bowling in the right areas. I think Hooda made it very easy for me. He started hitting from the word go. We communicated really well, I was happy to just give the strike to him when he was hitting like that."

"When I started going, he also did the same. I'm very happy for Hooda, and someday, soon, I would like to get to that kind of a score (century). I'm very happy with the way I also batted," Sanju Samson said on Sony Sports. 

Further in the conversation, Jadeja expressed his disappointment and revealed how the fans were excited to see Sanju hit a century. Samson has been in and out of the Indian team since his debut for the Men in Blue in 2015. Consistency has been a major problem for the batter. However, the batter's performance against Ireland can push the selectors to consider him for the white-ball series against England. 

"Glad to hear that, but I'm sad here because I thought you should've gotten one too. And I hope you also start feeling that, because all of us are your big fans here, especially Swanny (Graeme Swann) and me. We would like to see you get those bigger totals when you get in there. Sorry, I'm being a little too harsh because I'm a big fan of your batting," Ajay Jadeja added.

The words of encouragement flattered Samson as he thanked Jadeja for always supporting and pushing him to do better. The batter also promised to score a plethora of runs in the coming matches. 

"Thank you Ajay bhai, it will definitely keep me pushing. Definitely, I'll try to score lot more runs in the coming games," Sanju Samson signed off.