India wicket-keeping batter Sanju Samson said he’s been putting in a lot of work physically and mentally after scoring his maiden international hundred in the third and final ODI against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl.
SA vs IND, 3rd ODI Scorecard
Speaking after the first innings, an emotional Samson said he’s happy to see results go his way, having put in a lot of physical and mental work to improve his game. Samson scored 108 runs off 114 balls, smashing six boundaries and three sixes in Paarl.
“It feels really emotional, going through the emotions now. I’m very happy to achieve this. I’ve been putting in a lot of work physically and mentally, happy to see the results go my way now,” said Samson.
He went on to hail his partnership with Tilak Varma, who also scored his maiden ODI half-century to help India post a fighting total. The two batters formed a 116-run stand to turn the tide of the match in the middle overs.
“They bowled really well with the new ball, and the older ball was getting slower and more difficult to bat. So after KL got out, they had the momentum where Maharaj was bowling very well. But me and Tilak stuck it out and went strong at the end. We were playing an extra all rounder today, so Tilak and I had decided that we have to go hard from the 40th over onwards,” Samson added.
SA vs IND, 3rd ODI Updates
Samson continued his love affair against South Africa in Paarl. His previous best score in ODIs, also came against the Proteas, when he scored 86 runs at home. However, playing in his 16th ODI, Samson finally crossed the three-figure mark in the Indian jersey to help his side post 296 for 8 in the first innings.
After the ODI series, India will take on South Africa in a two-game Test series, aiming to beat the Proteas in a Test series away from home for the first time in history.
