Indian opener Sanju Samson proved to be the star of the match as he hit his second consecutive century in T20Is, becoming the first Indian to do so. Samson's knock of 107 off just 50 balls, supported by Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi's spin attack, led India to a commanding total of 202. South Africa was unable to keep up, falling short by 61 runs and giving India the victory in the first T20I of the series.
South Africa vs. India: Samson Shines with Consecutive T20I Centuries
In a thrilling first T20I of the series between South Africa and India, Indian opener Sanju Samson emerged as the star of the match, guiding his team to a commanding victory.
Background
The two cricketing giants, South Africa and India, have a long history of intense and memorable matches. The current T20I series is no exception, with both teams eager to prove their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Match Highlights
In Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, India elected to bat first and posted a formidable total of 202. Sanju Samson led the charge with a scintillating century, becoming the first Indian opener and the second player ever to hit back-to-back T20I centuries.
Samson's 107 runs off 50 balls was supported by valuable contributions from Ishan Kishan (42) and Rishabh Pant (17). South Africa's bowling attack struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with only Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada managing to take wickets.
In response, South Africa's batsmen failed to cope with the pressure and lost wickets at regular intervals. Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi emerged as India's bowling heroes, picking up three wickets each.
Despite a spirited fightback by David Miller (44) and Aiden Markram (38), South Africa fell short by 61 runs, giving India the victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Sanju Samson?
Sanju Samson is a young Indian wicket-keeper batsman who made his international debut in 2015. He is known for his aggressive batting style and exceptional fielding skills.
2. How many T20I centuries has Sanju Samson scored?
Sanju Samson has scored three T20I centuries to date, including the two consecutive centuries he hit against South Africa and Ireland in 2021.
3. Who is the only other player to hit consecutive T20I centuries?
Chris Gayle is the only other player to hit consecutive T20I centuries. He achieved this feat in 2007 while playing for the West Indies.
4. What is the significance of Sanju Samson's achievement?
Sanju Samson's achievement is significant because he is the first Indian batsman to score consecutive T20I centuries and the second player overall to do so. It also highlights his exceptional talent and consistency at the international level.
5. Are there any concerns about Sanju Samson's form?
Despite his recent success, Sanju Samson has faced criticism for his inconsistency in the past. However, his back-to-back centuries suggest that he is maturing as a batsman and overcoming his previous struggles.
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