 "Samson keen on making the most of red-hot form after helping India defeat South Africa with second consecutive T20 ton")
Sanju Samson said he is enjoying spending time at the crease and is looking to make the most of the purple patch that he finds himself in at the moment after smashing a second consecutive match-winning century for India in the first of four T20Is against South Africa in Durban. After his 47-ball 111 helped India thrash Bangladesh in Hyderabad to complete a 3-0 T20I series sweep, Samson struck 107 off 50 deliveries to help India defeat South Africa 61 runs and go 1-0 up in the four-match series.
As it happened | India vs South Africa, 1st T20I in Durban
“Really enjoying my time in the middle. Have been playing well so wanted to utilise my form,” Samson said after collecting the Player of the Match award at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban.
“It is always the intent, we have been talking about keeping the team ahead of yourself. Once you play those first couple of balls, you are looking to find those boundary shots, which makes things easy. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. Happy it did today,” the 29-year-old added.
The Rajasthan Royals captain added that it was important for India to begin their tour of the Rainbow Nation with a victory, given how strong the Proteas are in their own backyard.
“Knowing the home advantage they have, they are a really gun side, so important for us to start off with a win,” Samson added.
Stats | In-form Samson's historic first, Proteas' forgettable night in Durban and more
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIndia captain Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, praised Samson for putting his team ’s interests above his own, even when batting in the 90s.
“Very happy with the innings. The amount of hard work that he has put in over the last few years, doing those boring things again and again, he is reaping the fruits. He is putting the team first, even when he was in the 90s, he was looking to hit fours and sixes. That is what separates him,” Surya said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
The two teams will head to Gqeberha next, where they face each other in the second T20I on Sunday.
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