Sanju Samson Blows Away South Africa A With Whirlwind Knock

Sanju Samson has made the most of the opportunity given to him in the India A side. The highly-rated batsman is in the squad for the last two games of the ongoing five-match one-day series against South Africa A. In his very first outing, he blew away the Proteas to help India A thrash the visitors by 36 runs (DLS method) in a rain-affected game.

Recent reports suggested that the selectors are keen to try out Samson as they see him as the second choice wicketkeeper for the senior team. The report suggested that the selectors consider Samson’s batting to be on par with Rishabh Pant and India ‘A’ regular Ishan Kishan.

While Pant remains the first choice across formats, the selectors are also factoring in the fitness and workload management. Thus Sanju Samson came in the picture. And Sanju Samson made the most of his chance. He blasted 91 from just 48 balls to star with the bat in the win. Samson’s knock was studded with 6 fours and seven sixes.

Batting first, India A finished on 204 for 4 in just 20 overs thanks to Samson’s whirlwind knock. India A were off to a poor start and lost opener Prashant Chopra for just two. However, senior opener Shikhar Dhawan (51) and Samson added 135 runs for the second wicket to put the hosts on top.

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George Linde ended the stand by dismissing Dhawan before accounting for Samson too. By the time Samson departed, India A had already raced away to 160 for 3 inside 16 overs. Skipper Shreyas Iyer then struck a quickfire 36 to take the score past the 200-run mark.

In reply, South Africa were all out for 168. Reeza Hendricks struck a fifty while Kyle Verreynne scored 44 but others failed to get going. For India A, Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3 for just 9.