Samson Special takes India to an easy win in the first T20I

Sri Lanka had suffered two consecutive draws in the series, followed by subpar results in the first two games against Bangladesh. Fans, of course, weren’t sure what to expect when Samson lined up against South Africa in the first T20I of the series in Durban on Friday.

However, the Rajasthan Royals captain did not disappoint this time. To the delight of his fans, he just ran after scoring his impressive hundred against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. It had taken a long time for a batsman who made his T20I debut in 2015 (against Zimbabwe in Harare) to reach his first hundred (October 2024), but the second just an innings later, making it several consecutive centuries for the Kerala players.

His 50-ball 107 was the standout innings for India as they reached 202/8 after being put in to bat first. In response, South Africa were bowled out for 141 in 17.5 overs, with Varun Chakratvarthy (3/25) and Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) particularly impressive. With Indian cricket fans still reeling from the Test defeat, such a performance was needed to ease the community’s gloomy shadow and set the tone for the series.

Earlier, Samson needed just 47 balls to reach three figures and score the fastest century by an Indian batsman against South Africa. The South African bowlers came under heavy fire but the Durban crowd didn’t complain.

They were looking for T20 entertainment and the runs were flowing from the blades of the Indian batters. Samson was the Pied Piper. Although the run rate dipped after he fell with the score at 175 in the 16th over, his early heroics ensured India posted a healthy tally.

It was a stunning performance of six strokes – 10 total plus seven four strokes. Samson took India’s fifty to 5.3 overs with his third six, hitting Coetzee over mid-wicket. With his sixth six, he increased India’s 100 in 10.2 overs.

One beautiful shot after another flowed from his blade, but if one had to pick the best, what stood out was his six, the eighth of his innings, against Andile Simelane in the 13th over. In the slot outside off, Samson gained space and then caressed it effortlessly over the wide, long off fence while maintaining his pose.

To be fair to Samson, it wasn’t an easy path for him. But he’s now making up for lost time. Since being named captain of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, his stature has grown, giving him a more consistent presence in the Indian team and that is now showing in his performances.

The chance to open the innings regularly since Suryakumar Yadav took over as captain also suits his game. This is reflected in the difference in his strike rate – 184.78 as an opener, while at positions 3, 4 and 5 it is 126.92, 129.88 and 136.91.

Tough conditions

Hitting through the line on the docile Indian pitches is one thing, but scoring on the Durban pitch in a strong sea breeze is another. With rain in the air, the bowlers expected to just land the ball and let the conditions do the rest.

It is a tribute to the spirit of the Indian batters that they managed to put the bowlers under pressure. Abhishek Sharma fell early but when Samon launched a brilliant attack, others also showed confidence. Tilak Varma hit the fourth ball he faced for a massive six and converted Andile Simelane’s short length by adjusting his body weight to send it over the square fence. At the end of 11 overs, India were 111/2 with Samson at 70 (38b). The two shared a partnership of 77 runs off 34 balls for the third wicket, with Varma scoring 33 (18).

Captain Aiden Markram introduced his leg-spinner in the eighth over but it turned out to be against the wrong batsman. Samson hit him with two sixes and reached his fifty in 27 balls.

Samson needed just 20 balls to make 50 for 100 and took his century to 47 balls, taking the team’s total to 163/2 after 14.1 overs. The century was celebrated with another six, which turned out to be the last as it was caught right at the fence by leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter the next ball.

However, the sheer brilliance of Samson’s game caused an upset in the first T20 of the series.