Shashi Tharoor celebrates Sanju Samson’s maiden T20I century vs Bangladesh with special gesture

New Delhi: Congress MP and cricket enthusiast Shashi Tharoor, hosting a warm welcome for Sanju Samson after the latter’s superb show in India’s record victory in T20Is over Bangladesh at Hyderabad, posted snaps from a felicitation ceremony at his residence on social media.

During their meeting on Monday, Shashi Tharoor honored Sanju Samson with a blue ponnada (shawl). “Delighted to give a hero’s welcome to ‘ton-up Sanju’ as @IamSanjuSamson returned to Thiruvananthapuram after his stunning century against Bangladesh. I found a ‘ponnada’ in the appropriate India colors to honor him with!” Tharoor shared in his post.

Delighted to give a hero’s welcome to “ton-up Sanju” as @IamSanjuSamson returned to Thiruvananthapuram after his stunning century versus Bangladesh. Found a “ponnada” in the appropriate India colours to honour him with!
#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/g87SxHDOb2

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 14, 2024

Sanju Samson had seemed radiant with glee as he met Shashi Tharoor after the India wicket-keeper batter scored his maiden T20I century in India’s record total of 297 against Bangladesh. Tharoor has long been a vocal supporter of Samson, often questioning the team management on limited opportunities given to the Kerala star.

Samson admitted to feeling uncertain about his position in the T20I side after recording two ducks in a series against Sri Lanka in July. However, he rediscovered his peak form just in time. Following a couple of starts that didn’t lead to significant scores in the first two T20Is against Bangladesh in Gwalior and Delhi, Samson found his rhythm in Hyderabad, scoring an impressive 111 runs off just 47 deliveries.

Samson reached his hundred in just 40 balls, making him the second-fastest T20I centurion for India. He, along with captain Suryakumar Yadav, forged a remarkable partnership, adding 173 runs for the second wicket off only 70 deliveries. This stellar performance propelled India to their highest-ever T20I total of 297, which ranks as the second-highest score in the format, following Nepal’s record of 311 against Mongolia.

“Three weeks before the series, I was fortunate to get a message from the leadership group. I think Surya, Gautam bhai, and Abhishek Nayar told me that I would be opening,” Samson said.

“That gave me some kind of proper preparation. I went back to the Rajasthan Royals academy, where I faced lots of new-ball bowlers. That preparation definitely helps you. I was coming in 10 per cent more ready for this series than any other. I think that communication helps you be better prepared,” he added.

Samson is expected to play in a few Ranji Trophy matches for Kerala before the Indian team travels to South Africa for a T20I series in November. He is not included in the Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand.