‘Ek dum sahi hai, maar dijiye’ – Fans react as Sanju Samson hits maiden ODI hundred against South Africa in third ODI

India batter Sanju Samson has hit his maiden international across all formats of the game. He is yet to play Test match cricket though. Samson has played in T20Is and ODIs for the Men In Blue. In the ongoing three-match series, the right-hander’s inclusion was a surprising one. Meanwhile, after not getting to bat in the first game and missing his opportunity in the next game, he made the most in the ongoing game.

In the match, the home team, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad missed the game due to a finger injury. With this, Rajat Patidar made his international debut. After the fall of his wicket, Samson came out to bat at number three with 34/1 in 4.4 overs on the board. Sai Sudharsan was trapped lbw and the team was reduced to 49/2. At this stage, skipper KL Rahul (21) and Samson put together 52 runs for the third wicket.

After the fall of the former, Tilak Varma (52) came and added another 116 runs although both Samson and Varma struggled for a phase. While Varma scored his maiden ODI fifty. Samson scored 108 off 114 balls including six fours and three sixes. Thanks to the duo and Rinku Singh’s (38) cameo, the team reached 296/8 batting first.

There has been a lot of hard work: Sanju Samson

The Rajasthan Royals skipper in the IPL felt emotional after the end of the first innings. While speaking to Star Sports, he wasn’t been able to sink it at that point. Meanwhile, at the time of writing, the home team has started the innings with 2/0 in 0.3 overs.

“Feels interesting, just going through with it. Feels an emotional one. There’s been a lot of work I’ve been putting in physically and mentally over the past year. They bowled well with the new ball, as the ball got older it was getting difficult to bat. But we got momentum through my partnership with Tilak. Maharaj bowled really well,” Samson said in the mid-match show with the broadcaster.

This is how Twitter reacted

The Maiden Century By Sanju Samson in ODIS in SA
3rd ODI and in Important Match
Great Comeback and Great Innings from Sanju ❤ Love you #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/C69ZpBY724

— VINEETH (@sololoveee) December 21, 2023

As I have said before as well..after Rohit Sharma, the next Indian batter who comes to my mind as a pull-shot specialist is Sanju Samson don’t bowl short to this lad.

— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) December 21, 2023

Chettan’s maiden ODI hundred! pic.twitter.com/qWntQoVm6s

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 21, 2023

SANJU SAMSON You Beauty
Maiden in ODI in series decider match I hope many more to come #INDvsSA#SanjuSamsonpic.twitter.com/D55Uh02KRK

— Aman Raina (@ImRaina45) December 21, 2023

#SanjuSamson happiness is seeing him scoring his first century pic.twitter.com/17exR8MKYt

— Niyaz ( He/Him ) (@HussainNiyaz21) December 21, 2023

The first ones are always ! ✨

Congratulations to Sanju Samson on achieving his Maiden International Century! #SanjuSamson #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/avp87pIkX6

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 21, 2023

Superb century by #SanjuSamson on a bouncy pitch with some breathtaking shots

Nothing is more sweeter than proving your haters wrong #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/6rX4pslBc1

— Achilles (@Searching4ligh1) December 21, 2023

The century moment for Sanju Samson …!!!#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/XlW0ToxjDO

— Haroon (@Haroon_HMM7) December 21, 2023

Why we love Sanju Samson
Chettan On the way #SanjuSamson #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/S9czNLPmVr

— Sanju Samson ERA (@SanjuSamson_Era) December 21, 2023

I’m so so emotional at the moment. @IamSanjuSamson thank you for existing and inspiring me all over the years

He stood tall over all the lobby thing played against him and said I’m here and I’m not gonna give up #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/sEnJcxgmp4

— Aaradhya (@Aaradhya_2003) December 21, 2023