Sanju Samson joins Virat Kohli in exclusive club after a century against South Africa

Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson etched his name in cricket history during the third ODI against South Africa by achieving a remarkable feat alongside Virat Kohli. He became only the second No.3 after Kohli to score an ODI century against South Africa in South Africa.

Samson’s century, his maiden in one-day internationals, came off just 110 balls and included 6 fours and 2 sixes. This outstanding performance not only showcased Samson’s batting prowess but also served as a redemption for his previous subpar outing in the ODI series against the Proteas.

The right-handed batter, who had faced criticism for his inconsistent performances, seized the opportunity presented by the absence of key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Sanju’s achievement becomes even more noteworthy considering his exclusion from the ICC World Cup 2023 squad.

In the context of the match, Aiden Markram’s decision to invite India to bat first set the stage for Samson’s outstanding innings. Thanks to his Ton, India could pose a target of 297 for the Proteas to chase on a slowish surface.