Happy for Deepak Hooda, I would also like to score a century for India: Sanju Samson

India batter Sanju Samson made his way back to the squad after his impressive performance in the IPL 2022 while captaining Rajasthan Royals. Though he could not score a big knock, his techniques and composure caught attention. He was given a chance in India’s playing combination for the second T20I against Ireland on Tuesday as he stood up to not just the fans, but the team’s expectations as well.

He was called into the side in place of an injured Ruturaj Gaikwad and opened the innings alongside Ishan Kishan. Losing his opening partner early, he formed a humungous partnership with Deepak Hooda as the two added 176 runs for the second wicket, with Samson ending his innings scoring a brilliant 42-ball 77, which included nine fours and four huge sixes.

Samson’s impressive knock paid him well as India ended up winning the contest by the barest of margins. While speaking to former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja, on Sony Sports Network, post the game, Samson opened up about his knock and his partnership as he said:

“It was a good game. The partnership we had, in that type of condition, there was some movement off the wicket and the bowlers were bowling in the right areas. I think Hooda made it very easy for me. He started hitting from the word go. We communicated really well, I was happy to just give the strike to him when he was hitting like that. When I started going, he also did the same. I’m very happy for Hooda, and some day, soon, I would like to get to that kind of a score (century). I’m very happy with the way I also batted,” stated Samson.

I’m a big fan of Sanju Samson’s batting: Ajay Jadeja

Samson was dismissed at a point when he and Hooda looked all set to take India to a jaw-dropping score. After losing the first wicket early, the duo took the score from 13/1 to 189/2. Samson was dismissed by Mark Adair on 77 and Ajay Jadeja was disappointed as he wanted Samson to touch the three-figure mark.

Expressing his opinion on Samson’s knock, Jadeja said:“Glad to hear that, but I’m sad here because I thought you should’ve gotten one too. And I hope you also start feeling that, because all of us are your big fans here, especially Swanny (Graeme Swann) and me. We would like to see you get those bigger totals when you get in there. Sorry, I’m being a little too harsh because I’m a big fan of your batting.”