SA vs IND, 3rd ODI: KL Rahul was delighted for Sanju Samson, saying that the Rajasthan Royals star made a rare opportunity count. Samson brought up his maiden ODI hundred in the series decider in Paarl on Thursday.
India captain KL Rahul said he was happy to see Sanju Samson finally making the most of a rare chance that came his way in the crunch ODI series decider against South Africa in Paarl. Samson hit his maiden international hundred and it turned out to be a defining knock as India won the 3rd ODI by 78 runs, clinching a rare ODI series victory in South Africa.
Sanju Samson stood out from the rest on a difficult batting pitch at Boland Park in Paarl, hitting only 6 boundaries and 3 sixes for his 108 from 114 balls. It was an uncharacteristic Samson innings as the Rajasthan Royals captain, known for his aggressive batting, curbed his instincts and played according to the conditions and situations.
Samson lost Sai Sudharsan early after he walked into bat at No. 3. However, he stitched a 50-plus stand with captain Rahul. Samson and Tiak Varma’s 116-run partnership proved match-defining and it was during the stand that the Kerala batter used all his experience. Samson wonderfully guided his younger partner even as Tilak struggled to get going at the start of his innings. Samson did not allow pressure to build and paved the way for Tilak to catch up and hit his maiden ODI fifty.
Samson walked into bat in the 5th over and was there in the middle until the 46th over as he held the Indian innings together with an “emotional” hundred.
“Pleased for Sanju, he’s been a phenomenal performer in the IPL over the years. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to give him the chance at No. 3, because obviously there are stalwarts in the ODIs who occupy those key spots. Glad he was able to grab his chances here,” KL Rahul said after India won the final ODI.
Rahul became only the second India captain to lead the team to an ODI series win in South Africa after Virat Kohli in 2018. It was nice redemption for Rahul India were blanked 3-0 under his captaincy in 2022.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson heaped praise on Tilak Varma, saying the entire country is proud of the young man’s rise in international cricket.
Tilak did not throw it away even as he took time to get used to the conditions at Boland Park as he went on to hit 52 off 77 balls, understanding his role in the middle-overs on the tricky pitch. The 21-year-old, playing only his 4th ODI, showed no sign of nerves in the high-pressure contest.
“The whole country is very proud of how Tilak Verma has stepped up, lot more expected from him. The seniors have set the standards of Indian cricket and the juniors are coming in and doing the job,” Samson said.
India were clinical with the ball too in Parl as Arshdeep Singh picked up 4 wickets to take his tally in the series to 10. With a 5-wicket haul and a 4-wicket haul, Arshdeep walked away with the Player of the Series Award. Avesh Khan, who picked 4 in the first ODI, took two more in the decider while Washington Sundar shone in his first outing on the tour with figures of 2 for 38.