Sanju Samson Creates History, Became First Batter To Smash Three T20I Centuries

Sanju Samson created history during the 4th T20 of India’s tour of South Africa on Friday when he scored an awestruck 109* off 56 deliveries in Johannesburg, becoming the first-ever batter to smash three T20I centuries in a calendar year.

Opting to bat first, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma came to open and stitched a 73-run partnership for the first wicket, the latter making 36 off 18 balls. Samson started charging the bowlers from the second over onward and reached the hundred-run mark in just 51 balls en route to his blitz of unbeaten 109, which was laced with nine soaring maximums and six fours. Sanju also fabricated a 200-run partnership with Tilak Varma for the second wicket who annihilated the Proteas bowlers all over the park and scored 120* off just 47 balls, taking India’s score to 283/1 in their allotted 20 overs.

Samson and Tilak’s centuries were the first instance in t20 internationals when two batsmen of a full-member nation smashed a century in the same innings. The Kerala batter’s luck has shined since he started opening for India precisely from Bangladesh T20Is in 2024, he has cemented his place with some fabulous knocks, notching up three centuries in seven innings as an opener.