Image Credit: twitter.com/@CricCrazyJohns
Even though this ODI series may not have been important, Sanju Samson saw it as another opportunity to demonstrate. And on Thursday in Lucknow, he did deliver his best ODI score ever, but India was unable to surpass the objective. However, Samson received praise from the game’s legends for his deed.
In the ODI series against South Africa, Sanju Samson perhaps had the most opportunities to establish his value among the team’s players. Samson received limited opportunities after the IPL 2022 before being disqualified from both the Asia Cup and the World Cup. He had been praised for his batting ability earlier this year, and Rohit Sharma believed that he would have been a good fit for India in the Australian conditions for the T20 World Cup.
Consequently, Samson had another argument to support his claim, despite the ODI series’ seeming lack of significance. Game Legends mentioned the highest praise for “impressive” Sanju Samson saying “Very good innings. You merit the cheers”. On Thursday in Lucknow, he did as promise, scoring his highest ODI total ever, but India was unable to surpass the goal. However, the game’s legends praised Samson for his actions.
Advertisement
Advertisement
In the powerplay, India lost both of their openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill, for just eight runs in 5.1 overs. In their pursuit of 250, the hosts were further downgraded to 51 for four in 17.4 overs. Samson started his innings alongside Shreyas Iyer and gave India’s score some consistency as they managed a heroic 67-run partnership before the latter left soon after reaching his half-century.
Sanju Samson was followed by Shardul Thakur, who had a productive day with the bat and the ball. Thakur hit five boundaries in his 31-ball 33 and Samson started hitting boundaries and sixes after taking two wickets for 35 in eight overs.
India lost the first game of the series by nine runs despite Samson’s finest effort in ODIs, a 63-ball unbeaten 86. However, the target was always too high for India. Sports luminaries praised Samson for his brave effort on Twitter shortly after the foul was called.
Advertisement
