• Sanju Samson smashed a sensational ton for India in the third ODI against South Africa in Paarl.

  • Samson's brilliant knock powered India to a challenging total of 268/8.

Twitter goes berserk as Sanju Samson hits his maiden international hundred against South Africa in 3rd ODI
Sanju Samson scores his maiden international hundred against South Africa (Image Source: Twitter)

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In a thrilling series decider between South Africa and India at Paarl’s Boland Park, Twitter exploded with excitement as Indian batter Sanju Samson showcased his talent with a remarkable maiden international century against the Proteas. Sanju’s ton not only paved the way for India’s competitive total but also went as a statement to his critics, who had long been questioning his ability.

India’s fightback after shaky start

Asked to bat first, India found themselves in a challenging position until the middle-order batters showed resilience and powered them to a decent total of 268/8 in the allotted 50 overs.

It was Samson’s exceptional innings that turned the game in India’s favour after early losses like Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharsan created tension. The Kerala-born cricketer’s exploit, supported by Tilak Varma‘s half-century, set the stage for Men in Blue’s competitive target for the South African team.

Sanju Samson hammers his maiden international century

In the process of staging a remarkable comeback for India, Samson also notched up his maiden international as he scored an impressive 108 runs off 114 balls, becoming the hero of the day. Tilak’s contribution of 52 runs in 77 balls and Rinku Singh‘s quick 38 off 27 balls further strengthened India’s position. Beuran Hendricks emerged as the most successful bowler for South Africa, taking three wickets for 63 runs.

The social media frenzy

As Samson reached his maiden international century, Twitter witnessed an explosion of joy and celebration. Fans, both in India and around the world, poured out their emotions with congratulatory messages and words of appreciation for the talented cricketer.

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The controversial journey of Samson

It’s worth noting that Samson’s journey to this milestone was not without its fair share of controversies. Over the years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) overlooked him, and his inclusion in the national team was inconsistent. The debate surrounding his selection and opportunities in the playing XI had been a long-standing issue among cricket enthusiasts.

Twitter erupts as Samson announces himself on international stage

The South Africa tour became a turning point for Samson as he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, silencing critics and proving his mettle on the international stage. His spectacular century in the series decider not only secured a win for India but also marked a personal triumph for the talented batters and garnered huge praise from fans and experts alike.

Here’s how netizens reacted:

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.