India’s Sanju Samson in motion through the 3rd ODI match in opposition to South Africa of India’s tour of South Africa, 2023-24 at Boland Park, Paarl, on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Sanju Samson carved a well-measured maiden ODI hundred as India posted a difficult 296 for eight in opposition to South Africa within the series-deciding third match right here on Thursday.
Samson (108 off 114 balls) discovered an ideal sidekick within the patient Tilak Varma, who struck his first ODI fifty (52 off 77 balls), as they milked 116 valuable runs for the fourth-wicket to place India ready to win this sequence.
Samson and Varma got here collectively when India had been barely wobbling at 101 for three after being requested to bat first.
But the pair confirmed glorious situational consciousness.
Their partnership was all about pragmatism with out letting go of any alternative to unfurl any huge shot.
Usually a free-flowing hitter, Samson shelved his macho intentions for a big a part of his innings, concentrating on singles and twos because the Boland Park pitch additionally had this slight chew on it.
But the right-hander intermittently introduced out his T20 avatar into play like when he smashed pacer Nandre Burger for a giant six over mid-wicket or whereas executing an beautiful inside-out loft over cowl off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for a 4.
His fifty got here off 66 balls with a single to third man off pacer Beuran Hendricks.
But on the different finish, Varma usually struggled for movement as he might discover a boundary solely in his thirty ninth ball, a scratchy pull off Hendricks.
However, the left-hander gave firm to Samson to take India out of the woods.
Finally, Varma fell in his enterprise to speed up, a miss-timed sweep off Maharaj ending within the arms of Wiaan Mulder within the deep.
But Samson carried on and was not to be denied 100 this time.
The landmark second for him got here when he pushed Maharaj to long-off for a single because the dressing room went on its toes to applaud a tremendous dig.
Samson was dismissed as he tried to up the ante as a skier off pacer Lizaad Williams was snaffled by Reeza Hendricks contained in the rings.
However, a great cameo by Rinku Singh (38 off 27 balls) helped India motor on in the long run part of the innings.
But earlier than India made that good fightback, the Proteas bowlers had them on the ropes taking three wickets.
Debutant Rajat Patidar, who stepped in for an injured opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was a deal with to watch throughout his 16-ball 22, exhibiting great eye-hand coordination.
But Burger’s pretty in-dipper that disturbed the stumps snapped his keep and Hendricks trapped Sai Sudharsan in entrance of the wicket with a supply that was angled into him from over the wicket.
KL Rahul helped Samson add 52 runs for the third wicket however the Indian captain’s effort to pull Mulder resulted in a catch to stumper Heinrich Klaasen after the ball took a deflection off his thigh pads.
However, India discovered two keen troopers in Samson and Varma who effected an escape.
