Duleep Trophy 2024: Sanju Samson sends message to selectors, slams whirlwind century

Rajasthan Royals and Kerala captain Sanju Samson sent a big message to the national selectors, slamming a whirlwind century for India ‘D’ team against India ‘B’ on Day 2 third round match of the Duleep Trophy 2024 at Anantapur on Friday (September 20). Samson completed his century in only 94 balls with three sixes and 12 fours in his knock.

However, Samson was unable to convert the knock into a big one as Delhi pacer Navdeep Saini prized him out, caught by K. Nithish Reddy for 106 off 101 balls. It was a brilliant counter-attacking knock by Samson, who was selected at the last moment for India ‘D’ before the previous match.

The Royals skipper came to bat with India ‘D’ struggling at 175 for 4 with skipper Shreyas Iyer dismissed for a duck. India ‘D’ had progressed to 331 for 7 when Samson was finally dismissed on the second day.

 

HUNDRED FOR SANJU SAMSON…..!!!!

– 11th First Class hundred for Sanju Samson, from just 94 balls, he wasn’t in the Duleep Trophy squad then injury to players helped him to get a spot & have taken the opportunity with both hands, he is here to stay, What a knock. pic.twitter.com/9hlkmQ9cmh

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 20, 2024

It was Samson’s maiden hundred in Duleep Trophy tournament and his 11th century in first-class cricket overall. Earlier, he was unbeaten on 89 overnight as he attacked Navdeep Saini and Washington Sundar with aplomb.

Samson smashed Saini for two boundaries in an over to gather 12 runs from India ‘B’ pacer to move to 50 off 49 balls. He then smashed Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder for 16 runs in an over which included two sixes.

Meanwhile, India D openers Devdutt Padikkal (50 in 95 balls, with eight fours) and Srikar Bharat (52 in 109 balls, with nine boundaries) put on a fine 105-run opening partnership. After their dismissal, a half-century partnership between Ricky Bhui (56 in 87 balls, with nine fours) and Nishant Sindhu (19) followed.

After India D was reduced to 216/5, Samson (89 in 83 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes) and Saransh Jain (26 in 56 balls, with four boundaries) put on a 90-run stand to take India D to 306/5 at the end of the day. Rahul Chahar (3/60) was the pick of the bowlers for India D.

(with ANI inputs)