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‘It Feels Emotional’ - Sanju Samson Reacts To His First International Century

image-lqfdlyjiSanju Samson celebrating his maiden ODI century (x.com)

Indian batsman Sanju Samson mauled South Africa’s high-flying pace attack with a scintillating century at Paarl’s Boland in the third ODI of their three-match series. Batting at number three for the ‘Men in Blue’, the cricketer pumped out 108 runs from just 114 balls and belted six boundaries and three sixes in the process to lead his side’s recovery in their must-win game.

The innings also marked Samson’s maiden ODI century, and his first triple-digit score overall in international cricket. After reaching the landmark figure, the 29-year-old expressed his emotional reaction to his knock and recalled his journey of getting to this stage for Team India.

Sanju Samson reacts to his maiden ODI century

During the mid-innings break, Sanju Samson emotionally reacted to his century and reflected his Team India journey over the years. The cricketer said:

“It feels emotional. That (maiden 100) feels actually interesting. I am just going through it. Yeah, it feels fantastic. Yeah, absolutely; as you said, there was a lot of hard work being put on behind the scenes, and today is just its result. There's been a lot of work I've been putting in physically and mentally over the past year.”

Sanju Samson’s 108-run masterclass elevated India’s total to a competitive 296-8 by the end of their 50 overs after they had endured early setbacks in the form of opener’s cheap dismissals.

Tilak Varma also produced his first ODI half-century and shared a fighting 116-run stand for the fourth wicket with Samson. Rinku Singh, on the other hand, bludgeoned 38 runs from just 27 balls in the death overs to pile on the preceding momentum narrated by Samson and Varma.

The series against South Africa marks Sanju Samson’s comeback to India’s ODI fold, after he was sidelined from the squad for the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2023 World Cup events. Having made his ODI debut back in July 2021, the wicketkeeper-batsman has only featured in 16 matches in the format for his country.