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Sanju Samson who made his international debut for India in July 2015 scored his maiden ODI hundred in the third and final ODI of the series against South Africa. Samson became the second Indian batter after former captain Virat Kohli to score an ODI century against the Proteas on South African soil.
Kohli has three ODI centuries against South Africa on South Africa soil. All three were scored during the 2018 tour. Samson became the eighth Indian batter to score an ODI century against South Africa in the rainbow nation.
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Promoted to no.3 after Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to field first at Boland Park, Paarl, Samson had to walk out to bat early as Rajat Patidar departed after a 16-ball 22 cameo on his debut. Samson shared partnerships with skipper KL Rahul and Tilak Varma after the openers departed during the first powerplay overs.
Samson batted cautiously and reached his half-century from 67 balls. As the slog overs approached, Samson shifted gears. After Varma fell for a 77-ball 52, Samson reached his century in the 44th over. He took 110 deliveries to breach the three figures.
He smashed a six in the next over against Beuran Hendricks. In the 46th over, Lizaad Williams dismissed Samson. He went for a slog but got the height not the distance. He got caught by Reeza Hendricks at extra cover. He scored 108 runs from 114 balls including six fours and three sixes.
After Samson's wicket, Rinku Singh helped India accelerate. He smashed a couple of sixes and three fours in his 27-ball 38 before becoming Nandre Burger's second wicket of the day. Washington Sundar's 9-ball 14 and Arshdeep Singh's first-ball six helped India post a fighting total of 296/8.
In the first match of the series, Samson did not get to bat as South Africa were bowled out for 116 in Johannesburg. In the second ODI, he was dismissed for 12 by Hendricks. He batted at no.5 in the ODI Gqeberha.
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