'Lekin phir bhi T20 WC me nhi milega jagah' - Fans react as Sanju Samson smashes magnificent century in 3rd ODI against South Africa

In the 3^rd ODI of the ongoing series, India faces South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl. In the series decider game, South African skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first. In the high-voltage game, star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson outshone with a magnificent century. In his maiden ODI tonne, Samson scored 108 runs off 114 balls.

Batting first on a tough pitch, India had a poor start as openers Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudarshan fell early. Patidar, in his debut inning, scored 22 runs off 16 balls with the help of three fours and a six. On the other hand, after scoring two back-to-back fifties, Sudarshan scored 10 runs off 16 balls with the help of a boundary.

After their departure, Sanju Samson, along with skipper KL Rahul, added 52 runs for the third wicket. Rahul, in his inning, scored 21 runs off 35 balls with the help of two boundaries. However, he also fell early, and India was looking in deep trouble.

Tilak Varma joins hands with Sanju Samson

Soon, Tilak Varma joined Samson in the middle and forged a memorable partnership. Both batters added 116 runs for the fourth wicket. In his innings, Varma scored 52 runs off 77 balls with the help of five fours and a six. Despite his departure, Samson continued to hammer the Proteas bowling line-up and score his maiden ODI tonne.

Samson, in his innings, scored 108 runs off 114 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes till the end of the 44^th over. Samson, in his brief ODI career, has been phenomenal for India. He has scored more than 500 runs at an average of 62+ and a strike rate of nearly 100. At the end of the 44^th over, India posted 235/4, with Rinku Singh and Samson batting in the middle.

Here is how fans react to Sanju Samson’s century:

Now imagine if our Sanju Samson was in the world cup squad. Great knock Sanju Samson. Hopefully the selectors will not do any more politics with you. congratulations for stunning innings.

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) December 21, 2023

Big slap on face of haters from Sanju Samson. Played crucial knock under immense pressure to rescue India. That’s why he deserves more chances

— Wa?iyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) December 21, 2023

BIG CONGRATULATIONS SANJU 100* ? pic.twitter.com/QEOqEG2Hfj

— Shivaye ? (@shivaye01) December 21, 2023

Sanju's success feels like my own success. what a great player he is.

— Omar. (@OmarBalochh) December 21, 2023

Now imagine If Sanju replaced SKY in the wc…. Can’t get over that loss! ?

— Sumit Agarwal ?? (@sumitagarwal_IN) December 21, 2023

Already better than dhoni in overseas

— Aryan (@OxygenKohli18) December 21, 2023

Now where have those who criticized Sanju Samson gone? Sanju Samson is a great player.

— Vishal Kumar (@vishalkumar9000) December 21, 2023

HUNDRED FOR SANJU SAMSON…..!!!!

Maiden International hundred, India were 49 for 2, in a series decider, Samson has played a memorable knock in South Africa. ???

— Priyanka (@Pinky209E) December 21, 2023