India and South Africa faced off in the third ODI of their ongoing series at the Boland Park in Paarl, on Thursday, December 21. After winning the first ODI and losing the second, the Indian team aimed to put forth a brilliant performance in the series decider.
The clash began with the visitors coming in to bat first after losing the toss. The side got off to a horrid start as openers Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharshan scored 22 and 10 runs, respectively. After the subpar start, it was the knock of Sanju Samson that stabilised the innings for the Indian team.
Coming into the side after quite a long hiatus, Sanju Samson put in a brilliant performance, scoring 108 runs in 114 deliveries. Before, scoring his maiden international century, Samson was always written off by the critics while the flamboyant batter was going through a lean patch. However, the knock against the Proteas would surely help him improve his track record. His knock helped the side post a good total on the scoreboard in the series decider in Paarl.
As for South Africa, Beuran Hendricks was the highest wicket-taker, with three wickets to his name. Nandre Burger took two, with Lizaad Williams, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj taking one wicket each, as the hosts conceded 296 runs in the first innings.
Team India will aim to defend the total to clinch ODI series
Posting 296 runs in the first innings, the Indian team will be keen on putting in their best performance with the ball, as with the series levelled, both sides have all to play for in Paarl. The second ODI of the series saw the Proteas limit the visitors to just 211 runs in the first innings.
The side chased the target down with ease as they levelled the series, and with a reasonable target in front of them, the Proteas will hope for yet another good performance with the bat.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Sanju Samson’s maiden ODI century:
The Maiden Century By Sanju Samson in ODIS in SA
3rd ODI and 💯 in Important Match
Great Comeback and Great Innings from Sanju 🔥❤ Love you #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/C69ZpBY724
— VINEETH𓃵🦖 (@sololoveee) December 21, 2023
First Century for #SanjuSamson in ODIs that too in a series decider 🙏🏻
8th Indian ODI Batter to score a century in South Africa
Love you @IamSanjuSamson ❤️😭 pic.twitter.com/QAtNcBjk4j
— Radoo🌶️ (@Chandan_radoo) December 21, 2023
Superb century by #SanjuSamson on a bouncy pitch with some breathtaking shots🔥
Nothing is more sweeter than proving your haters wrong 🔥 #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/6rX4pslBc1
— Achilles (@Searching4ligh1) December 21, 2023
Critics make him stronger and that’s century for them brilliant knock debut century it will definitely boost his career manegement think about him superb talent 🔥💯👏👏#SanjuSamson #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/GzJngw1lLI
— Yash k_335 (@335Yash) December 21, 2023
Well played chetta🔥👏💪 #INDvsSA #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/oQmz5DtvDg
— Dev (@MSDIAN___DEV) December 21, 2023
Kerala has a reason to cheer in the midst of #covid19
The much awaited 💯 by #SanjuSamson 😭
He has a loyal fan following, and they have been served with a delicious knock 👏 #INDvsSA
— Vinod_Investor (@svinod_kumar) December 21, 2023
What if #SanjuSamson had played on 19th… pic.twitter.com/vHaQTVQUBC
— Ritesh 🪂 (@Ritesh_7l) December 21, 2023
Happy for Sanju 👏🏻 he got chance to play this series and scored brilliant hundred in series decider,
Hope he doesn’t get dropped after this performance 🤞🏻 #INDvsSA #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/6wkYeFn3oK
— KOHLIFIED (@Speedy_kohli) December 21, 2023
The Maiden Century By Sanju Samson in ODIS in SA
3rd ODI and 💯 in Important Match #SanjuSamson #tilakverma #INDvsSA #India @IamSanjuSamson #iplauction2024 #rajasthanroyal #Cricket #IndianCricket @BCCI pic.twitter.com/XaXSZIjNmE
— Sprint Bulletin (@sprintbulletin) December 21, 2023