Sun Oct 13 11:30:19 UTC 2024: ## Samson’s Century Fueled by Suryakumar’s Support and a Touch of Kerala Magic
**Thiruvananthapuram, India:** Sanju Samson’s maiden T20I century, a blistering 111 off just 47 balls, has cemented his place in Indian cricket history. The Kerala star achieved the feat in the third and final T20I against Bangladesh on Saturday, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to reach a triple-figure score in the format.
Samson’s innings were not only a display of power hitting but also a testament to the support he receives from his captain, Suryakumar Yadav. The two shared a record-breaking 173-run partnership for the second wicket, taking just 69 balls to achieve the feat.
During the innings, Samson revealed that Suryakumar played a key role in his milestone achievement. While on 96, Samson was eager to smash the next ball for a six. However, the captain advised him to take it easy and savor the moment. “He told me to go easy because you earned it,” Samson recalled, adding that the clarity he receives from both Suryakumar and Gautam Gambhir has been instrumental in his performance.
The advice, though, didn’t stop Samson from unleashing his power hitting. He smashed the very next ball for a boundary, achieving his century in a record-breaking 40 balls. This makes him the second-fastest Indian to reach a T20I hundred after Rohit Sharma, who achieved the feat in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017.
Suryakumar, clearly proud of his teammate’s performance, praised Samson’s dedication and selfless attitude. “He worked hard and he had to earn it with his selfless attitude. I’m really happy for you,” he said.
Samson’s incredible knock, which included five consecutive sixes against Rishad Hossain, has solidified his position in the Indian T20I team. His next test will be the upcoming tour of South Africa, where he will aim to continue his impressive form in the four-match T20I series from November 8 to 15.
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