Twitter Reactions: Sanju Samson slams back-to-back T20I centuries as Kingsmead witnesses batting masterclass

Sanju Samson brought his A-game to the fore at Kingsmead, Durban in the first T20I between India and South Africa on Friday, November 8. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter continued from where he left against Bangladesh in the third T20I in Hyderabad as he slammed a century off just 47 balls.

Samson registered his maiden T20I century at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium against the Bangla Tigers last month. The 29-year-old went on to score back-to-back centuries in the shortest format of the game for the Men in Blue by pulverising the South African bowlers in Durban.

After Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first on an excellent batting deck, Gerald Coetzee got the better of Abhishek Sharma to give the Proteas the first breakthrough in the fourth over. However, India captain Suryakumar Yadav joined Samson at the crease and the duo stitched a blistering 66-run partnership off 37 balls. However, bulk of the damage was done by Samson, who brought up his half-century during the partnership off just 27 balls.

After Suryakumar was dismissed for a 17-ball 21, Samson took the onus upon himself to get India to a huge first innings total as he took the South African bowlers, especially the spinners, to the cleaners with his renowned repertoire of strokes.

In the first ball of the 15th over, Samson took a single off Keshav Maharaj to get to the magical three-figure mark. The former took just 20 balls to go from 51 to 100. The Pulluvila-born became only the fourth batter to score consecutive centuries in T20I cricket. Gustav McKeon, Rilee Rossouw, and Phil Salt achieved the feat before him.

Samson was eventually dismissed for 107 off 50 balls by leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter in the 16th over. This was after the right-handed batter slammed seven fours and 10 sixes, taking India to a position of strength.

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